Gordon Banks lends his support to Clackmannanshire Council’s Partnership Project

13 March 2008

On Friday 7 March, local MP Gordon Banks visited Menstrie Primary School to learn about a partnership project designed to broaden children’s knowledge and understanding of cultural and religious differences.

With funding from the Scottish Government’s anti-sectarianism project, Understanding Ourselves – Understanding Others aims to strengthen existing and new community partnerships in five Clackmannanshire primary schools. The partnerships are being used specifically to promote children’s understanding of cultural and religious similarities and differences and to promote values consistent with equality and fairness to help them challenge and overcome intolerance. The schools and partners are pursuing a number of interlinked actions to achieve these aims.

Over a period of six weeks, primary six and seven pupils at Menstrie are working with their teachers and with INTER-ACT, the very successful interactive drama team from Forth Valley NHS, to explore and challenge religious and cultural stereotypes.

Menstrie teachers have also paid a visit to Alloa mosque to develop their own understanding of Muslim beliefs and to enrich their teaching about Islam. In the coming months, three classes at Menstrie will visit the mosque and some have already welcomed the Imam into their classrooms as part of their religious and moral education.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Banks said: “I am glad that these programmes are being run in Clackmannanshire. It is so vital in these often difficult times that our children learn more about those from other cultures. All pupils, including Muslim children in our community, have visited the local church and know about its importance to Christian worship so I’m delighted they now have the chance to visit the local mosque well.

“Children are naturally inquisitive so these events will allow them to ask questions about Islam and to learn first hand about Muslim worship.”

“These visits and workshops compliment existing anti-sectarian lessons that were taught in schools last year and are now being enhanced by the relationship with the Mosque.”

Notes to Editors

The schools involved are: Alva Primary, Craigbank Primary, Deerpark Primary, Menstrie Primary and St Mungo’s Pimary