CULTURAL celebration, the discussion of oppression and the celebration of diversity among groups and individuals need to be part of the classroom ethos, delegates at the winter conference of the Association of Teachers of Travelling People heard.
Mairin Kenny, who has recently completed her PhD on the subject of Traveller education, questioned the emphasis on the development of the individual in both the White Paper and the INTO's response to the White Paper. She stressed the need for teachers to develop in tandem with this as well as the need for children to become aware of themselves as part of a number of different groups.
"Real education should enable us not only to name ourselves but also to name our place in the world with pride and confidence," said Kenny who is principal of St Kieran's National School for Travellers in Bray, Co Wicklow.
Education psychologist Sean Ruth, in his keynote address, compared the external oppression, discrimination, prejudice and racism from which Travellers suffer in Ireland to the oppression suffered by other ethnic groups around the world. These external oppressions are internalised and it is this internal oppression which becomes the most problematic issue for education. Teachers must try and tackle this issue in classrooms. Internal oppression manifests itself in very low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, divisiveness within the group, a narrowing of cultural identity and feelings of inadequacy, he explained.
Teachers must tackle this by actively contradicting these signs. It is important to see that this lack of self-esteem is not an individual lack of confidence but part of a pattern said Ruth. The challenge is to present an alternative picture. The real contradiction to low-esteem is the development of close relationships with Travellers and to model power and hope, within these relationships, he added.
In the afternoon workshops concentrated on literacy, religious education and pre-schooling. A fourth workshop, facilitated by Thomas McCann, chairperson of the Irish Traveller Movement, discussed the problems faced by Traveller children in the education system.
The AGM which followed the conference considered the lack of educational materials and increased "racist" reporting in the local media. Teachers need to understand the relevance of issues such as accommodation and health as a backdrop to the education that they provide.
