Will we ever get over the Education panel debate?
I’m beginning to suspect that this question isn’t even about
the Education Panel at all! If it had ever been about the Education Panel we
would have had it done and dusted long ago. This is actually a question about
us. Who are we? What are we? Why are we? Much more interesting!
The Question:
Did we let our educational panel off too
lightly? Is Mervyn’s ‘it is very complicated but we all say similar
words and it will take a long time’, a politician’s excuse? Helen’s this is
what I want for my child is nice but how many types of education can we afford?
PJ’s implication that teacher’s values and passion is only available in faith based
schools? Prof Smith’s you cannot afford all of this was ignored.
Let it go Jerry! Give us a break! Who do you think we are? Contrary to common belief we’re not all the belligerent kind here in Norn Ireland. And when we invite people into our wee den we feed them tea and digestives and we ask them pointed, challenging questions. We may wish to remind them of a few facts because we’re not lacking in knowledge or experience. We always have a few opinions to express and we hope that most of our guests have the courtesy to want to listen. (I’ll never get over young Jack Mc Cann,will I?). But we are not into stripping people of their dignity, even if we don’t agree with their views. Nor do we condone pomposity or one-upmanship. (There I go again!) We are not bully boys. On the contrary we wish to provide a forum for all opinions. Hopefully we can promote debate. And we do want our guests to leave here having reflected on their practice somewhat. What we have in the Causeway U3A Current Affairs Group is vital and powerful but it is essential that we hang on to the unthreatening nature of our discourse. We are the Jerry Show, not the Nolan Show!
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