11/11/2011
Eleventh Hour Commemoration At City Hall
Today's 11th Hour commemorations in the ground of Belfast City Hall and the coming weekend's traditional Remembrance Sunday services dedicated to members of the armed services who have been killed has been overshadowed by a row over poppies.
While poppies and poppy wreaths were much in evidence at 11am today - the 11th hour - of the eleventh month as Armistice Day was observed by the President of the Royal British Legion, Colonel Mervyn Elder and Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor, the DUP Alderman Ruth Patterson, controversy has ensured over the emblem.
As the two dignitaries led members of the public in a two-minute silence at the Garden of Remembrance, it has been reported that while the newly elected SDLP Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell, the MP and MLA will attend remembrance services on behalf of the party, he would not be wearing the traditional token of commemoration.
This has been added to continuing controversy over an allegation that school pupils were told to remove their poppies during the past week.
The NI Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has spoken of his deep concern at reports concerning the wearing of poppies at a local school.
He was worried over claims that pupils at Dundonald High School had felt compelled to remove poppies following comments made by a teacher.
Commenting on the coverage, Mr O'Dowd said: "Earlier this week, a local media organisation devoted extensive coverage to claims that pupils at this school had removed poppies following comments from one teacher. This was despite the fact that the claims had not been backed up.
"Later the same day, the school completed a thorough internal investigation which concluded that there was no evidence found to substantiate the claim," he said.
"As Education Minister, my top priority is the pupils and staff in our local schools.
"These are learning environments where children in their formative years are taught and guided by teachers of the utmost integrity," the Sinn Fein Minister said.
"Complaints, such as the one that arose earlier this week, should be dealt with by teachers who are professionals in their field and best placed to deal with such issues. Dragging a school community through a political debate on the airwaves is no way to handle such a sensitive issue.
"The impact on our pupils and staff is my top priority - and I would expect others with influence across our community to feel the same."
(BMcC/GK)
While poppies and poppy wreaths were much in evidence at 11am today - the 11th hour - of the eleventh month as Armistice Day was observed by the President of the Royal British Legion, Colonel Mervyn Elder and Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor, the DUP Alderman Ruth Patterson, controversy has ensured over the emblem.
As the two dignitaries led members of the public in a two-minute silence at the Garden of Remembrance, it has been reported that while the newly elected SDLP Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell, the MP and MLA will attend remembrance services on behalf of the party, he would not be wearing the traditional token of commemoration.
This has been added to continuing controversy over an allegation that school pupils were told to remove their poppies during the past week.
The NI Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has spoken of his deep concern at reports concerning the wearing of poppies at a local school.
He was worried over claims that pupils at Dundonald High School had felt compelled to remove poppies following comments made by a teacher.
Commenting on the coverage, Mr O'Dowd said: "Earlier this week, a local media organisation devoted extensive coverage to claims that pupils at this school had removed poppies following comments from one teacher. This was despite the fact that the claims had not been backed up.
"Later the same day, the school completed a thorough internal investigation which concluded that there was no evidence found to substantiate the claim," he said.
"As Education Minister, my top priority is the pupils and staff in our local schools.
"These are learning environments where children in their formative years are taught and guided by teachers of the utmost integrity," the Sinn Fein Minister said.
"Complaints, such as the one that arose earlier this week, should be dealt with by teachers who are professionals in their field and best placed to deal with such issues. Dragging a school community through a political debate on the airwaves is no way to handle such a sensitive issue.
"The impact on our pupils and staff is my top priority - and I would expect others with influence across our community to feel the same."
(BMcC/GK)
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