ΔikiLeaks !!! (on Patriot parents attempt to censor students writings) Email of English School Head Teacher to Parents Association President Koulla Zambella regarding the latter’s complain about students’ articles in an afternoon club magazine. "Dear Koula We have discussed your complaint at our recent SLT meeting and have come to the following conclusions; 1. Firstly this publication was not authorized by the school management to be published. We intend to set out a clear policy for all staff and students about ensuring that anything that is to go out in the name of the school should be checked by the Head teacher to ensure its’ contents are appropriate and its spelling is accurate 2. The staff concerned will be seen by the Head teacher to discuss why this publication was sent out without being checked as is the normal procedure 3. However, as a senior team we defend the right of any child to have a voice and to express his/her opinions, whatever they may be and even if they are not agreed with by other members of the school’s community. Healthy debate should be encouraged in all educational organizations and the ability to argue one’s case is an important skill. At the front of the publication it does state that the articles do not represent the views of all students in the society. However, it should also have said that the articles do not represent the views of the school. The only time when a student should not have the right to voice his/her opinion is if this opinion incites violence or racial or homophobic hatred. 4. The society is different to the subject of Citizenship. In the lessons students are taught according to a prescribed scheme of work based on the UK model. The society is an after-school club only for interested students and is voluntary. At the society students get the opportunity of debating their views about being a Cypriot citizen and a global citizen. The lessons / school subject and the society should not be confused. I hope this clarifies the issue. Any students who wished to respond in writing in an appropriate manner to the articles to which you refer may of course do so. Kind Regards Deborah Duncan" You can find the Parents Association email to which the head responds here: https://facebook/DefteriAnaynosi/posts/451838648245323
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 18:15:16 +0000