Funding constraints hit award scheme

A successful awards scheme which helps prevent racist bullying in schools has had to turn schools down because of funding constraints.

Yellow Flag co-ordinator Paula Madden said the scheme, which promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion, has delivered “many tangible results” since it was established five years ago.

But despite a sharp rise in school bullying and the significance of “identity bullying”, Ms Madden said it is only available to a small number of schools.

“Due to a lack of funding commitment, the programme is not available in all schools, yet its primary functions are a fundamental necessity to the 4,000 schools in Ireland,” she said.

She was speaking at the annual Yellow Flag awards ceremony in Dublin yesterday, where seven primary and two secondary schools were honoured for fostering inclusion.

Dublin GAA star Ger Brennan; 2013 Voice of Ireland star Kelly McDonagh; and Tura Arutua, a Zimbabwean Irish speaker and dancer, presented awards to St Francis Senior NS in Dublin; Ardee Educate Together, Co Louth; Midleton Educate Together, in Co Cork; St Oliver Plunkett’s in Balbriggan, Dublin; Newtownmount-kennedy in Co Wicklow; Gaelscoil Mhichil Ciosog, in Ennis, Co Clare; St Felim’s NS in Co Cavan, and at second-level to St Aidan’s Community School in Tallaght; and Grange Community College in Donaghmede.

Irish Traveller Movement director Brigid Quilligan said: “For every school we have worked with, we have had to turn another school away due to a lack of funding.

“We know the commitment made by the Minister for Education to the make schools more inclusive, to combat bullying, and to create suitable conditions for children to thrive in school.

“Our hope is that his intentions will ensure that all children in Ireland vulnerable to identity bullying will be able to benefit from the programme.”

The Yellow Flag scheme sets out eight steps, such as intercultural and anti-racism training for staff and management, reaching out to the wider community, and the drafting of a diversity code and an anti-racism policy.

It is hoped the lessons learned in the school setting are seen not just as “school subjects” but reach out in to the community.