Letters to the Editor

Unique selling point of grammar schools is their sense of ‘elitism'

Newton Emerson writing in his column ‘Grammar ethos could be key to resolving selection debate’ (April 29) points out that the end of selection need not mean the end of grammar schools here and that if our secondary schools were allowed to convert to non-selective grammars and embraced the ‘concept of grammar ethos’ by introducing stricter discipline and more rigorous academic standards then the debate about the abolition of grammar schools could become redundant.

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Letters to the Editor

Bitter irony of old saying be careful what you wish for comes to mind

Letters to the Editor

PR system reflects all shades of opinion much more accurately

Letters to the Editor

Fine Gael TD provides a masterclass in filibuster and can-kicking

Letters to the Editor

Worst outcome of leadership election is a return to ‘ourselves alone' unionism

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Future generations entitled to experience joy of the last Rock Pool

30 Apr, 2021

I WAS blessed to have grown up at the Harbour in Newcastle, where, in the words of Percy French, “the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea”. I spent every day of my summer holidays at the Rock Pool outdoor swimming pool; hail, rain or snow.

Columnist's view on Churches' role is inaccurate and unfair

29 Apr, 2021

THE responsibility given to teachers for the education of our children is a heavy one, and possibly one of the most onerous any profession can have.

Hello Mary Lou, goodbye calls for unity referendum

28 Apr, 2021

OCCASIONALLY politicians when putting a policy reversal on the record, try to do so when it might not attract much attention. Mary Lou McDonald’s recent “apology” for the death of Lord Mountbatten, seems a case in point.

Beware those encouraging young people on to streets

27 Apr, 2021

THE reasons behind the recent violence on our streets are many and complex. They reflect genuine issues that must be addressed. However, setting fire to your own area, attacking your own police ...

Justice for African Americans is 150 years too late

26 Apr, 2021

JUSTICE has been done for the family of George Floyd with the conviction of Derek Chauvin. This was described in the US media as historic. What is ironic about the use of the word historic is that more than 150 years after the passing of the 13th Amendment, Lincoln’s Emancipation Declaration and the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement there is a sense of joy, relief and surprise that an African American gets justice.

Urgent investment to properly pedestrianise Belfast city centre

23 Apr, 2021

THE month of March saw a record-breaking 29,000-plus rentals of Belfast Bikes in our city. While many people are no doubt availing of the improving weather and taking the opportunity to safely get outside, with all the positive mental health benefits that comes with that, I also believe the last year has shown us that Belfast citizens are up for re-imagining how we travel, how we live, work and play within our city

Socio-economic dimension to integrated education more important

22 Apr, 2021

NEWTON Emerson writing on the Opinion page of The Irish News, (‘Churches must break deadlock on school segregation’ April 15 2021) makes an interesting observation when he points out that:...

Let's call on the ‘can-do' spirit of 1998 to end political incompetence

21 Apr, 2021

AS one of the handful of Ulster Unionist Party negotiators responsible for the 1998 Belfast Agreement, I share in the general public’s sense of disappointment and feel not a little anger over the chronic failure of the two main parties to work and behave responsibly.

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