A controversial chapter in a SPHE handbook which characterised Irish families who played GAA and enjoyed Irish music as bigoted, authoritarian, and controlling was not included in the Irish language version published for schools, Gript can reveal.
The chapter on inclusion, entitled All Different, All Equal, has been widely criticised by parents, teachers, TDs, and Senators for its “sneering” and “harmful” portrayal of a traditional Irish family as being small-minded, “racist” and prejudiced – especially in contrast to a more diverse family.
Now Gript has learned that the Irish language version of the SPHE book did not include that controversial chapter, with one TD saying that its absence showed a selectivity which deepened her critical view of the publication.
“Sláinte agus Folláine OSPS 1” is the version as Gaeilge of the contentious Health and Wellbeing schoolbook. However, it does not include the inclusion chapter and the depictions of Family A and B which have led to such controversy.
TDs and Senators have called for the use of the SPHE book to be withdrawn, describing the classroom exercise as “anti-Irish” as well as being “utterly absurd, hateful and sneering”, and “insulting” to families who played GAA or Irish music.
The GAA has almost a million members, and the Fleadh Cheoil – mentioned in the SPHE book specifically – attracted 600,000 people to Wexford this year in a 10-day celebration of traditional music, song and dance.
The revelation that the classroom exercise unfavourably compared an Irish family (Family A) with another family (Family B) – characterising the GAA-loving, Irish dancing, Fleadh-going, Family A as bigoted and small-minded – and asked schoolchildren to chose which family they would prefer to belong to, has led to widespread criticism and “significant backlash” from parents, according to TDs and teachers who spoke to Gript.
Calls to have the book removed from schools have come from across the political spectrum, with Social Democrat TD, Gary Gannon, joining Carol Nolan TD, Mattie McGrath TD, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, and others, in calling for its withdrawal.
Today, Carol Nolan questioned why the “sneering” at a traditional Irish family and their portrayal as being “racist and prejudiced” was removed from an Irish language edition, which she said, “was more likely to be seen by parents who were whole-heartedly involved in Irish culture.”
“The absence of the comparative exercise from the Irish language version of the book, while welcome in one regard, also serves to highlight how conscious the authors may have been that their Punch-like caricature would be exposed to a more informed criticism from Irish-speaking students who are immersed, more than most, in the beauty of Irish culture and language,” she said.
“This slightly sinister selectivity only deepens the critical view I am taking on this matter. The removal appears therefore as an exercise in duplicity rather than awareness around the pathetic nature of the imagery and texts,” she told Gript.
“However,” she added, “if the publishers imagine that only Gaeilgeoirí are upset at this horrendous portrayal of Irish families, they are very much mistaken. Parents across the board are absolutely furious and want this book removed immediately.”
The book, Health and Wellbeing SPHE 1, published by Edco, is for use in first year of secondary school when students are typically aged between 12-13. It portrays what might be described as traditional Irish families as being bigoted – refusing to allow their children to mix with people of a different religion – and narrow-minded – with a ban on all non-Irish sports and music.
Historian and author Dr Conor Reidy told Tipp FM that he believed there was subliminal messaging at play in the classroom lesson which portrayed families which championed traditional Irish culture as being “racist and anti-diversity”, in addition to being “controlling and authoritarian”.
" It's very shocking and disturbing "
— Irishman (@IrishmanIRL) September 2, 2024
Dr. Conor Reidy speaks about the vile portrayal of an Irish family in SPHE schoolbook on Tipp FM pic.twitter.com/4Xrnmg1fsH
Dr Reidy said the portrayal of traditional families was “shocking and disturbing” that this book “risks shaping young minds with a particular agenda, rather than encouraging their independent thought”.
“The level of bias here is shameful,” he told Tipp FM. “No author or publisher should be proud to stand over this.” He said the section of the schoolbook would “pit people against each other.”
“There is something very, very troubling at work in this SPHE book,” he added.
“Basic education school textbooks should aim to provide an impartial education, and students need access to balanced information so that they can develop,” the author and historian said.
He added: ‘The cartoon that goes with it is disgusting. It’s absolutely despicable in how it depicts the traditional Irish family. It is very shocking. It’s very disturbing, to say the least”.
Gript has contacted the publishers, Edco, to ask why the Irish language version of the book did not include the depiction of Families A and B and the inclusion exercise. The Department of Education and Minister Normal Foley have also been asked for comment on the controversy.
The SPHE handbook defined Bias as: “An unfair belief that someone or something is better than others and which usually results in treating some people unfairly.”
