Menu
11/06/2015
NICEM Apologises For Comparing School Merger Plan With Holy Cross Dispute
The Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM) has issued an apology for comparing a school merger plan with the Holy Cross sectarian dispute in 2001.
The NICEM said it would never aim to "demonise" or "label" any communities within Northern Ireland.
The Holy Cross dispute occurred in 2001 and 2002 in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.
Loyalists began picketing the school, claiming that Catholics were regularly attacking their homes and denying them access to facilities. Hundreds of protesters tried to stop the schoolchildren and their parents from walking to school through the area. Some protesters shouted sectarian abuse and threw stones, bricks, fireworks, blast bombs and urine-filled balloons at the schoolchildren and their parents.
Death threats were also made.
In a statement NICEM said: "It was never, and has never been our aim or our intention to demonise or label any communities within Northern Ireland. We acknowledge that using this comparison was a poor choice.
Our fundamental issue is and continues to be, about the way in which the Education Authority and the Minister of Education has managed this process. The Education Authority has chosen to consult on these issues outside the regular consultation proceedings, thus circumventing its Section 75 equality duty. Consequently, all families have been asked to agree to a merger, without being provided with adequate information, such as actual availability of capital for a new building and on the potential site. No equality impact assessment, including the security risk assessment, being provided to all consultees."
(CD/MH)
The NICEM said it would never aim to "demonise" or "label" any communities within Northern Ireland.
The Holy Cross dispute occurred in 2001 and 2002 in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.
Loyalists began picketing the school, claiming that Catholics were regularly attacking their homes and denying them access to facilities. Hundreds of protesters tried to stop the schoolchildren and their parents from walking to school through the area. Some protesters shouted sectarian abuse and threw stones, bricks, fireworks, blast bombs and urine-filled balloons at the schoolchildren and their parents.
Death threats were also made.
In a statement NICEM said: "It was never, and has never been our aim or our intention to demonise or label any communities within Northern Ireland. We acknowledge that using this comparison was a poor choice.
Our fundamental issue is and continues to be, about the way in which the Education Authority and the Minister of Education has managed this process. The Education Authority has chosen to consult on these issues outside the regular consultation proceedings, thus circumventing its Section 75 equality duty. Consequently, all families have been asked to agree to a merger, without being provided with adequate information, such as actual availability of capital for a new building and on the potential site. No equality impact assessment, including the security risk assessment, being provided to all consultees."
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
06 December 2024
New Bill To Make School Uniforms More Affordable
Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the Executive's decision to allow the preparation of a new School Uniforms Bill. The proposed legislation aims to make school uniforms more affordable for parents by requiring schools to prioritise affordability in their uniform policies.
New Bill To Make School Uniforms More Affordable
Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the Executive's decision to allow the preparation of a new School Uniforms Bill. The proposed legislation aims to make school uniforms more affordable for parents by requiring schools to prioritise affordability in their uniform policies.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
09 December 2024
Expansion Of Pre-School Education In Northern Ireland
Education Minister Paul Givan has announced that 77 pre-school settings across Northern Ireland will begin offering full-time hours. This move is part of the Minister's commitment to provide all children aged 3-4 with 22.5 hours of funded pre-school education per week. Currently, 60% of children receive 12.
Expansion Of Pre-School Education In Northern Ireland
Education Minister Paul Givan has announced that 77 pre-school settings across Northern Ireland will begin offering full-time hours. This move is part of the Minister's commitment to provide all children aged 3-4 with 22.5 hours of funded pre-school education per week. Currently, 60% of children receive 12.
16 November 2016
Pupils Not Getting Enough Good Education - Chief Inspector
Pupils in primary and secondary schools in Northern Ireland are not getting enough good education, according to the Chief Inspector's report. In her latest report, Noelle Buick, also said it is "unacceptable" that boys are continuing to under-perform in exams compared to girls.
Pupils Not Getting Enough Good Education - Chief Inspector
Pupils in primary and secondary schools in Northern Ireland are not getting enough good education, according to the Chief Inspector's report. In her latest report, Noelle Buick, also said it is "unacceptable" that boys are continuing to under-perform in exams compared to girls.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
