Learning*
The English Defence League held a protest march here last Saturday. I could hear them starting off, our home isn't that close to where they were, so they were making a lot of noise. Apparently some of them were throwing fireworks around. Hardly the 'peaceful protest' they had promised when they informed the authorities of their desire/intention to march.
What made things even louder was that Unite Against Fascism held a protest rally at the same time near the endpoint of the EDL march. Much shouting ensued.
So why were EDL marching in the first place? A Muslim academy is being built in the city, for Muslim pupils aged five to sixteen. It will be teaching the National Curriculum, "tailored to Islamic values and teachings".
EDL were protesting that, among other things, this academy would not work towards integration. UAF reckon it's up to the Muslims if they want an Islamic school for their children. After all, there are already Roman Catholic schools and Anglican schools in the city.
Where do I stand on this? Not sure. We sent S to the local Catholic secondary school, from Local Authority Primary schools - mainly because it had a sixth form (years 12 & 13) at the time. It was the only secondary school to do so. As it happened S was in the last sixth form. We sent D there too, because S had gotten on well. With hindsight perhaps we should have chosen somewhere else for D. Somewhere she could be herself rather than thinking that she was continuously being compared (unfavourably) with S, but there we are. She wasn't (compared unfavourably) she just thought she was. Despite this she got on well too, and went on to do her year 12 & 13 education at a local college.
So with a history of sending our children to a 'faith school' I can hardly protest about others wanting the same opportunities, can I? Having said which . . . I'm kinda uncomfortable about the idea of a Muslim school, particularly from age five to sixteen. That is the age at which most children start learning to live with other people. Start to recognise that there are other ways of seeing and doing things than the way they have been brought up. I dunno, could it result in isolated Muslim young people or more Radicalised Muslim young people? After all, look at what Radicalised Muslims have been doing around the world. Or is that concern groundless? Or even prejudice of the worst kind?
Anyway, it looks like we'll have a Muslim academy, ages five to sixteen, in the city come the new school year, next month. Here's hoping things go well.
Just think, you can have marches like that in this country. Having seen what is going on in Egypt and what happened in Turkey - is it surprising people want to come and live here?
And Finally, one for papertowlbtrfly, should you be concerned about computer security etc Horizon - Defeating the Hackers. I watched this programme last night. It's not just the teenager playing around who can wipe everything from your computer/phone/tablt/laptop, there are the criminals and the Government sponsored hackers too. Advice for those who want to remain secure? Ummm, they didn't really mention much, but Apple computers have far fewer viruses, and you have to install them yourself. No, of course they don't put it that way! Otherwise go ask aforementioned papertowlbtrfly, she understands these things so much better than I.
The Horizon programme is available for download on BBC iplayer for the next six or seven days so you can get a much clearer view of what I have garbledly informed you, should you be interested!
Y'all have a good day now!
*Which isn't the same as Education.
What made things even louder was that Unite Against Fascism held a protest rally at the same time near the endpoint of the EDL march. Much shouting ensued.
So why were EDL marching in the first place? A Muslim academy is being built in the city, for Muslim pupils aged five to sixteen. It will be teaching the National Curriculum, "tailored to Islamic values and teachings".
EDL were protesting that, among other things, this academy would not work towards integration. UAF reckon it's up to the Muslims if they want an Islamic school for their children. After all, there are already Roman Catholic schools and Anglican schools in the city.
Where do I stand on this? Not sure. We sent S to the local Catholic secondary school, from Local Authority Primary schools - mainly because it had a sixth form (years 12 & 13) at the time. It was the only secondary school to do so. As it happened S was in the last sixth form. We sent D there too, because S had gotten on well. With hindsight perhaps we should have chosen somewhere else for D. Somewhere she could be herself rather than thinking that she was continuously being compared (unfavourably) with S, but there we are. She wasn't (compared unfavourably) she just thought she was. Despite this she got on well too, and went on to do her year 12 & 13 education at a local college.
So with a history of sending our children to a 'faith school' I can hardly protest about others wanting the same opportunities, can I? Having said which . . . I'm kinda uncomfortable about the idea of a Muslim school, particularly from age five to sixteen. That is the age at which most children start learning to live with other people. Start to recognise that there are other ways of seeing and doing things than the way they have been brought up. I dunno, could it result in isolated Muslim young people or more Radicalised Muslim young people? After all, look at what Radicalised Muslims have been doing around the world. Or is that concern groundless? Or even prejudice of the worst kind?
Anyway, it looks like we'll have a Muslim academy, ages five to sixteen, in the city come the new school year, next month. Here's hoping things go well.
Just think, you can have marches like that in this country. Having seen what is going on in Egypt and what happened in Turkey - is it surprising people want to come and live here?
And Finally, one for papertowlbtrfly, should you be concerned about computer security etc Horizon - Defeating the Hackers. I watched this programme last night. It's not just the teenager playing around who can wipe everything from your computer/phone/tablt/laptop, there are the criminals and the Government sponsored hackers too. Advice for those who want to remain secure? Ummm, they didn't really mention much, but Apple computers have far fewer viruses, and you have to install them yourself. No, of course they don't put it that way! Otherwise go ask aforementioned papertowlbtrfly, she understands these things so much better than I.
The Horizon programme is available for download on BBC iplayer for the next six or seven days so you can get a much clearer view of what I have garbledly informed you, should you be interested!
Y'all have a good day now!
*Which isn't the same as Education.