Teaching guidance withdrawal welcome

MLA Jo-Anne Dobson and local Councillor Glenn Barr expressed their satisfaction the controversial guidance had been withdrawn.

The move comes after the Ulster Unionist Party requested a meeting with the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment to discuss the “Bog Child” Teaching Guidance.

Party Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, Danny Kinahan MLA, Education spokesperson and Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, who`s constituent raised the issue, met with CCEA last week.

During this meeting CCEA informed the Ulster Unionist Party that they were withdrawing the “Bog Child” teaching guidance.

Mrs Dobson said, “We welcome the commitment from CCEA to withdraw the “Bog Child” teaching guidance following their meeting with Danny Kinahan, Mike Nesbitt and myself.

“The Chief Executive of CCEA admitted that the teaching guidance was imbalanced and it was on this basis that the notes were being withdrawn, reviewed and will be rewritten at a later date.”

Mr Kinahan said: “We welcome the open and honest engagement by CCEA on this issue and their decision to withdraw the guidance notes. We must also thank Jo-Anne`s constituent who brought this matter to the Ulster Unionist Party`s attention.

“This is an issue that caused tremendous hurt within the wider community and I hope that CCEA will put procedures in place to ensure that all guidance to schools will be created in a balanced and sensitive manner.”

Banbridge District Councillor Glenn Barr who was also contacted by concerned local parents said “This is an issue that caused tremendous hurt within the wider community and I hope that CCEA will put procedures in place to ensure that all guidance to schools will be created in a balanced and sensitive manner.”

The guidance first came to public attention when the matter was raised at the Assembly by Mr Nesbitt, who expressed concern a book by Danny Morrison was included in background reading.

There were also concerns about drawing parallels between Nazi Germany and Apartheid South Africa,

Following Mr Nesbitt’s speech it emerged that local MLA Jo_Anne Dobson had brought the matter to her party’ attention when she was approached by a concerned parent.