Speedwell Schools Day

Schools Angry at Cuts in Community Relations Funding

Thirty-five Principals and teachers attended Speedwell’s Annual Schools’ Day on Friday 21 May 2010 at Speedwell’s Centre in Parkanaur Forest, near Castlecaulfield.

This conference was the first to be held at Parkanaur since the Minister of Education announced a 70 % cut in funding for community relations work in schools and the youth sector. Speedwell’s Trust Manager, Eamon McClean said that while the cuts were a huge blow to the sector, Speedwell would endeavour to provide a facility which schools could use and programmes which addressed issues like diversity, racism and sectarianism. He said that the work which many of the schools in this area have been doing for nearly 20 years had helped to counteract the negative views – hate, bigotry and prejudice – that exist in our society. He stated that Speedwell would strive to continue to promote and encourage real, meaningful and sustained contact with children and young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Teachers attending the event were very angry at the cuts which were announced on 28 April. One teacher said “having been involved in community relations work in schools for the past twenty years it is sad to see the programme end in this way. Schools have worked hard to forge links and promote positive relationships”. Another asserted that “it is very disappointing to see that the department entrusted with the education of our children should cut funding for community relations which is fundamental of our society and to peace.”

Chris McCarney , Peace III project manager with the South West Council Cluster also spoke at the conference. He said that Speedwell was one of the projects in this area who were delivering programmes which dealt with racism and sectarianism, the main criteria in the SEUPB Peace programme. He stated that as a result of Speedwell projects children would have a greater awareness and understanding of different cultures and traditions.

The conference concluded with the Speedwell founder Mrs Jean Kelly giving a talk about her book ‘Charlie Crow Sorts It!’ Jean said that the book, which is set in Parkanaur Forest Park and targeted at primary and second level children, “not only deals with environmental education but also is an excellent resource for personal development and mutual understanding with the underlying theme of ‘Let’s find a way to help each other and live in harmony – even if there are problems.’”

Eimear Kingham, Hilary Reid and Cath Crute at Speedwell's schools' day