Building an Education Workers Network?

by Curious Tue Dec 13, 2005 14:47

Are members of Sinn Fein welcome? I ask this because of the constant broadsides launched by Organise against Sinn Fein and the IRA.

by Cynic Tue Dec 13, 2005 15:53

SF petition over education cuts

SF has collected 12,000 signatures against education cutbacks. A delegation from Sinn Fein is to hand a petition in to 10 Downing Street in protest at cuts to education services in Northern Ireland. The party has said the cuts range from a reduction in teachers and classroom assistants to a lack of school buses.

Sinn Fein education spokesman Michael Ferguson said the cuts are having a severe impact on children.

"We have 12,000 signatures which is a token of the frustration and anger felt right across our society," he said.

"In the last two years we have lost over 500 school staff.

"In the SEELB area alone we have lost over 78 school crossings and school transport in other rural areas, where it is most needed, has been eroded."

by a - . Tue Dec 13, 2005 16:09

I'm surprised Sinn Fein have not mentioned the splendid job they did in introducing PPP's into education, where private companies were handed lucrative contracts to build, maintain and manage schools for decades long.

I'm sure Martin McGuinness would be disappointed to see Sinn Fein members are not highlighting the terrific job he did in privatising education!!!

by pat c Tue Dec 13, 2005 16:20

raises points which must be answered. if you go into government, you have to make nasty decisions as well as nice ones. the question is, did the SF Ministers wield real power while in office or were they dragged into the trap of administering the misery.

by Sean Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:13

Of course, its open to anyone involved in education as its says in the press release!

by sean Wed Dec 14, 2005 15:32

if its by workers for workers then why is it being organised by a student society.

by Joe Wed Dec 14, 2005 16:25

Not sure about the situation in Queens but in most colleges 'student' societies are also technically open to people working in the college. For sure with most societies apart from academics few other college workers have the time or the interest but the anarchist societiety in TCD includes college workers as does the unofficial one in UCD. That may also be the case in Queens either officially or unofficially.

by Sean Wed Dec 14, 2005 17:29

Firstly, members of queens anarchist society are also employed by the education sector and have jobs outside of queens. Secondly, it was the only venue we could could which is open and accessible to all.
Thirdly, thanks for the interest and come and find out for yourself!

by Sean Wed Dec 14, 2005 17:31

The same situation is also the case with our society in which you dont need to be a student to become a member!

by a Wed Dec 14, 2005 18:11

Since Sinn Fein have refused to reply, let me quote their leader in regard to their time in running education in the Assembly.

Gerry Adams speaking to Dublin Chamber of Commerce April 2004 when asked about privatisation through schemes like public private partnerships he told his well heeled audience: "Well, we are against them. Having said that, Martin McGuinness, as Education Minister, faced with the reality that he would either have no schools or an involvement in a qualified way with private finance, went for it. So I suppose you could argue that that is the emergence of pragmatic politics."

Pragmatic politics = capitalist politics!

And Sinn Fein have the audacity to poster Belfast with Che Guevara Posters, pleading on us to 'Join the Revolution'... sick!

by s Mon Dec 19, 2005 16:41

so how many people were at the meeting. report back anyone