Thread by @Macerty

Having read how teachers across Ireland are increasingly teaching children with diverse backgrounds and planning their teaching around the children's own experiences including their culture and faith, it shows what a common misperception that exists regarding Catholic Schools.

Far from being sectarian, non-inclusive and traditional in their teaching, Catholic Schools in Northern Ireland for example have made huge advances in promoting diversity both in their admissions policies, planning and delivery of lessons.

In just one example of many Catholic Schools, a primary 7 teacher had 30 pupils with C of I, Presbyterian, Muslim, Quaker and Methodist faith backgrounds. So where does the word 'segregation' have any place in these schools?

Only 8 of the children were Roman Catholic out of 30 School Children so the numbers don't add up to anyways label Catholic Schools as segregation. Secondly the teaching methods have radically changed over the past 30 or 40 years post Vatican II.

No longer are the traditional methods of chalk and talk or a prescriptive form of teaching used anymore and hasn't been for a long time. Instead it is pupil centred and brings in their own experiences. It addresses differences in gender, religions and counters stereotypes.

It promotes tolerance and understanding of other world faiths. Yet we hear the integrated education lobbyists who are mostly ignorant of the reality in Catholic Schools and vote chasing politicians accusing Catholic Schools of being sectarian, segregationalist and insular.

If they actually spent time in RE lessons they would most definitely learn how wrong that stereotype is. I remember Jeremy Corbyn actually taking the trouble to visit a Catholic School to watch an RE lesson and in his opinion it was the best he has seen educational wise.

Unfortunately he is the exception rather than the rule and in Northern Ireland the dog whistling on Catholic Schools has continued from a range of individuals including celebrities from a bygone age of a flawed Catholic Education system that has long since disappeared.

Unionism had put in its oar as well albeit for suspect reasons by politicians beating their own divisive drum by constantly harping on about how segregationist Catholic Schools are in their ignorance, often deliberate.

They are the ones who are using this for sectarian reasons to continue to divide communities and parental choice as well as the reality that society is pluralistic and demands parents have a say in which schools they wish for their offspring.

The arguments used by the politicians range from funding issues to having a common curriculum but when you put their arguments to the test or even examine them for any value added contribution to the quality of education or teaching delivered they amount to zero benefits.

It's all empty labels and bland images of one big comprehensive style education system that defines equality as putting everyone in the same box.

Its dull, restrictive and uninspiring except to those who want to cut spending on education by reducing the number of schools serving their local communities. Its politicised and agendised and it stinks of bigotry and bias.

There is always a need for more ongoing consultation around the curriculum being taught in the schools in Northern Ireland but it must not be a loaded one. It must be open to diversity of schools as much as of teaching content and it must be honest and not playing to the gallery.

@threadreaderapp please unroll thanks