The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and the wider Catholic school community are extremely concerned at the choice of words used by UUP leader Doug Beattie MLA when he declared the “need to end educational apartheid”. Catholic schools and many others across the education sector firmly reject the use of this inflammatory language as they work tirelessly to promote a shared educational landscape.
CCMS categorically rejects the very idea that Catholic schools are divisive or that they stand in opposition to an inclusive and diverse education system. Catholic schools promote the dignity and worth of every human person; the purpose and value of education; the relationship between education, family and the local community; and the purpose and meaning of life itself.
The terminology used by Mr Beattie is not helpful and is representative of the misconception that schools without integrated status are not welcoming and inclusive, particularly given the long-standing work that has gone on in not only Catholic schools but rather all schools to promote shared education. The one-dimensional and divisive ‘segregated v integrated’ dichotomy suggests that there is only one way forward, namely making all schools ‘integrated’. There is in fact a wide spectrum of approaches to break down barriers, end division and promote a unified strong society. Catholic schools and others continue to work together to realise this ideal.
I would welcome the opportunity to share with Mr Beattie the context of Catholic schools in Northern Ireland, their vision and purpose and the important role that Catholic schools exercise in educating and enriching the lives of everyone in their host communities. Equally, I would encourage Mr Beattie to discuss with both myself and colleagues across the education sector the positive changes that many governors, principals, staff, children and young people have cultivated in their communities through shared education programmes and partnerships across Northern Ireland.
Catholic schools firmly believe that no child should be left behind. Our vision is to enable all young people to meet their full potential, through access to a high-quality education irrespective of location, socio-economic background, ability or gender. Catholic schools wish to cultivate an education system which guarantees all children will be equally supported to fulfil their potential.
The challenge for all of us is to build a fair and respectful society. Education and all of our schools have a very important role to play in progressing this vision. However, this can only work if we all continue to work together and in this regard the label of educational apartheid is extremely unhelpful.
GERRY CAMPBELL
Chief Executive, The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools
Accountability for torture
The conviction in a German court of Syrian former colonel Anwar Raslan who was found guilty of crimes against humanity and torture is to be welcomed by all who oppose such dreadful crimes. No such sentence will ever compensate the victims of such crimes, but may achieve some accountability.
Far too many state leaders and officials who commit such crimes are never brought to justice. Ireland should examine Germany’s ‘universal jurisdiction laws’ which would allow for prosecution of such crimes in Ireland. Media coverage of this trial has focused on Raslan’s crimes committed during the Syrian civil war that began in 2011. However, Raslan left Syria in 2012 and was also involved in torture prior to 2011, as confirmed by one of the witnesses. Raslan may well have been responsible for torture at this prison in 2002/2003 when the US were sending prisoners to Syria for interrogation and torture.
The Washington Post in December 2002 described the rendition of captured al-Qaeda suspects from US custody to Syria, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Morocco, where they were tortured. Most of these countries are still allies of the US and are ruled by dictatorships of various types.
Ireland’s complicity in such crimes also needs to be properly investigated, and accountability is also needed for torture committed by British forces in Northern Ireland.
EDWARD HORGAN
Castletroy, Co Limerick
Compulsory vaccinations
Everybody has the right to bodily integrity, but that does not mean there may not be consequences for the choices we make. Smoking and drinking can be harmful, and so are discouraged by high taxes and restrictions on when and where we can do so in public places.
Having unprotected sex while knowingly carrying a serious infection is a deliberate act harmful to others and is considered a felony in many jurisdictions. Wandering into a pub or workplace without a mask when knowingly Covid positive could attract similar sanction.
The situation becomes more nuanced if you are unvaccinated, as this merely increases the statistical probability that you could be infectious and infect others. That situation is therefore somewhere in between the two prior examples in terms of its culpability.
But not allowing the unvaccinated into crowded places where the risks of cross infection are high is no more onerous than not allowing the intoxicated, unlicenced or uninsured to drive. It is done to protect the general public from a greater risk of harm. Entering a pub or stadium is no more a human right than driving a car.
Compulsory vaccination is likely to be a counter-productive policy with little benefit when more than 90 per cent of the eligible population are voluntarily vaccinated in any case. But placing restrictions on where the unvaccinated can go is not an impairment of their human right to bodily integrity, it is a vindication of the human rights of others to be protected from unnecessary risk of harm.
FRANK SCHNITTGER
Blessington, Co Wicklow
Frightening reflection on society
The horrific murder of a talented young woman in broad daylight on a frequented path is a frightening reflection on our society. It follows many other well-publicised killings of women and must leave many women afraid every time they leave their homes.
The irony is that many more women are attacked and abused in their own homes.
There must be more control of access to pornography and more control of social media, where hateful messages are spread.
School age girls are being frightened by bullying misogynistic Facebook messages from their male classmates.
Young people must be encouraged to talk to family, to friends and to teachers as well as organisations like Childline, when they feel threatened or frightened.
MARGARET MARSHALL
Belfast BT8
