Bigger problems to tackle than half-days
It is galling to see such a grand old tradition enjoyed by many, including myself, down through the years being axed because it is "not in the spirit" of the changes to school calendar years around the country.
While the need to standardise the school programme is an obvious one, practices such as the lord mayor's half-day rooted in tradition and an obvious way of promoting local politics should be maintained I respectfully suggest the department's time would be better spent putting a stop to other "traditional" practices such as underage drinking by schoolchildren at exam results time and on other countless occasions. It is problems like this, and not the lord mayor's half-day, that should be stamped out.
I'm delighted to see the present Lord Mayor of Cork, Colm Burke, standing firm on this issue and think the schools should do likewise. As our year as European Capital of Culture approaches, is this move not another diminution of what it means to be from Cork?
Michael Finn,
Cork GAA Designated Areas Scheme,
Páirc Uí Rinn,
Corcaigh.
