Most schools reopened last September amid normality, but children all over the world saw these frightening images on television. Northern Ireland is an exceptionally difficult topic to discuss, but one which future citizens need to understand, so the issues must be handled with great sensitivity.
Northern Ireland
Can you remember how you felt last September when you came back to school (excited, miserable)? Where did the scene in this picture take place, and what was happening (Belfast, Catholic children going to school in a Protestant area, blast bomb thrown; the tension erupted again in riots and attacks on another school earlier this month)? Why are politics and religion big issues in Northern Ireland (Ireland divided into six counties in the north - part of UK - and 26 counties in the Irish Republic; long history between two communities, Catholic (minority) and Protestant (majority); a republican movement among some Catholics to have a united Ireland; paramilitary groups on both sides)? What do you know about Ireland (separated after the First World War following a long history of conflict; think of gifted Irish people in the arts, sport, politics and business; strong influence on the United States, for example, the Kennedy family)?
Education
Education is a human right. What do you know about human rights (United Nations talks of “fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion”; can include education, housing, health care, voting rights, freedom from torture and oppression)? Children sometimes say they hate school, but what would happen if there was no education (every generation starts from scratch; no skilled doctors, engineers, teachers, scientists; ignorance through illiteracy; exploitation)? Will you make the best of yours, do you mess about in class, jeer at people who do their homework?
Bigotry
Each side in this picture accuses the other of bigotry (strong belief in one set of ideas, bias against others) and hatred. Is there a danger that we are bigoted, and that we stereotype people (for example, everyone in Northern Ireland is violent)?
Writing
(a) Describe how you felt when you saw these scenes on television; (b) write a story about two people (for example, Romeo and Juliet) who belong to quarrelling factions but become good friends; (c) how would you heal the conflict in Northern Ireland?
Ted Wragg is professor of education at Exeter University
TALKING POINTS
Should these parents be risking their children to stand up for, as they see it, their political rights?
For
Education is a basic human right, so there must be resistance to any attempts to block it, even if risk is involved. Children must be allowed to attend school in peace and sometimes, ironically, peace has to be fought for. Future generations will benefit, despite the trauma.
Against
Adults should not involve children in their quarrels. There are other means of gaining education, such as using the law and political process, without risking lives. The presence of television cameras can serve to heighten hatred, not heal it. Scenes like this can make the situation worse.
