Anti-Catholic slogans spray-painted on Denny Tank Museum …
By Bill Heaney
It’s not before time, but pupils in West Dunbartonshire are reported to have taken part in lessons to combat bigotry, religious hate and racism.
These were introduced after a number of incidents where sectarian graffiti was sprayed on local buildings.
Dumbarton’s Denny Tank Museum, with the incident labelled “vile and dangerous” by councillors, and “ignorant and arrogant” by Dave Scott of anti-sectarian charity Nil By Mouth.
Now West Dunbartonshire Council is working with Nil By Mouth, which was formed after a teenage Celtic supporter was murdered by a Rangers supporter who stabbed him in the neck with a bottle, and Show Racism the Red Card, founded to stop on-field violence and abuse by participants in matches, to highlight to pupils the impact of religious hatred through lessons, and to raise further awareness of the issues surrounding sectarianism.
Show Racism the Red Card has worked with 1181 pupils by delivering 27 workshops in 14 schools across the locality, and has another 62 sessions planned for young people next month.
Nil By Mouth meanwhile has worked with 615 young people across 15 primary schools.
The lessons are offered to selected age groups in primary and in all secondary schools as part of the curriculum to promote positive social values.
Deputy Provost Karen Conaghan and Cllr Ian Dickson.
Councillor Karen Conaghan, convener of educational services, said: “I am delighted so many of our young people have engaged in this learning.
“I have campaigned for a long time to raise awareness of the need to begin a conversation on this issue, especially with our younger residents, so I am pleased more than 1700 of our young people have taken part in this initiative.
“It is important that we educate our children so they grow up understanding the hurt and distress this needless behaviour can cause to individuals and their families.
“There’s no place for racism or sectarianism in today’s society.”
Councillor Ian Dickson, vice-convener, added: “It’s really pleasing to see the large numbers of pupils participating in these lessons.
“We must teach our young people that religious hatred and racism will not be tolerated in our schools or our communities.
“This programme will hopefully allow pupils to discuss incidents of verbal and online sectarianism or abuse and I’m sure the lessons will give our young people the courage to speak up and be role models for their peers and the next generation.”
Why do we still have segregated schools? They encourage an “us and them” attitude that isn’t conducive to community cohesion. Councils could also save a lot of money by making all schools secular, then pupils could attend the one nearest to where they live instead of having to travel by bus or train at taxpayers’ expense.