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A primary (elementary) school in the United Kingdom cancelled its upcoming annual Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Service because those in charge of the decision want to show “respect for diversity,” according to The Christian Post.
Headteacher Stephanie Mander’s decision to ignore the extremely important Christian holiday and celebration has been met with immense backlash from parents and online, with the school being branded as “disgraceful,” the outlet reported. “By not holding specific religious celebrations, we aim to create a more inclusive atmosphere that honors and respects the beliefs of all our children and their families,” Mander was quoted as saying.
Many are now questioning whether Mander will now be canceling Christmas, as her decision flies in the face of the school’s existing policy, apparently. Easter, Christmas, Eid, Diwali are “marked and celebrated together,” the school’s website states, according to TCH.
School Already Requires Improvement
The school received a generally “good” report from its September inspection by Ofsted, but “outcomes for children and learners” apparently required improvement. It is currently unclear how canceling traditional celebrations will aid in the education of the students at the school, particularly as Bible sales are soaring amongst young people in the UK, GB News wrote in another report.
Screenshot/GB News
Mander has also apparently instituted a new policy to “celebrate” other experiences. “One of the ways we will be celebrating inclusivity is by taking part in Refugee Week, which occurs in June, as well as beginning our journey to become an accredited School of Sanctuary,” the letter apparently reads, suggesting the curriculum is now moving to educate children about why the refugee crisis instead of Christianity or faith.
When one man shared a post about the cancellation, he received huge backlash online, so much so that he apologized for ever asking anyone’s opinion on the issue, according to a local news outlet. “Funny how we are expected to respect all the minority festivals and pride days but not allowed the majority of BRITISH festivals are now being diluted in respect of others just proves how second class citizens we are in our own country,” wrote one person wrote in the comments on a Daily Mail news report on the issue.
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