GEMMA BROLLY: Integrated Education Bill Ignores Diversity in Education
Aontú’s education spokesperson and East Derry Election candidate, Gemma Brolly, has again raised concerns over the Integrated Education Bill’s failure to recognise the beauty of diversity.
Brolly states “Aontú believe Integrated Educated is a wonderful component of the pluralist education system. It offers parents and children a key option and as a pluralist party we fully support this diversity in education.”
However,an education system that favours one ethos above all others, is an affront to pluralism and diversity, it erases parental choice. We will not allow our schools to be scapegoated as the cause for division among communities. A truly integrated education system must respect and not seek to delete ethos. There can be no hierarchy of educational ethos: Catholic, Protestant, Multi-faith based, Irish-medium or Integrated. There must be room in our society for all."
“The introduction of a Bill that compels pupils to leave their faith at the door is just a form of state sponsored bias. Deleting the choice of Catholic, Protestant and any other education is the opposite of pluralism and diversity. It robs parents of the choice of ethos and excellent educational systems. This neither challenges or informs in the classroom or across the community.
Education is not a one size fits all sector. Parents should not be denied access to a particular educational ethos that they feel is central to the development of their child. We must develop mutual respect, we must nurture efforts to listen to one another, to be able to debate and understand, to identify, agree and differ in opinions respectfully. Aontú will not shy away from this. An education system that favours one ethos above all others, is an affront to pluralism and diversity, it erases parental choice. We will not allow our schools to be scapegoated as the cause for division among communities. A truly integrated education system must respect and not seek to delete ethos There can be no hierarchy of educational ethos: Catholic, Protestant, Multi-faith based, Irish-medium or Integrated. There must be room in our society for all.
