TIMMS PUT TO THE TEST BY ST.WINEFRIDE?S PUPILS
Monday 26th November
Stephen Timms, Minister of State for School Standards and East Ham MP, visited
St. Winefride?s Roman Catholic Primary School on Friday. Mr Timms attended an
"Achievement Assembly" in which hard-working pupils were rewarded
for their efforts, and was shown around the school?s new facilities. But the
highlight of the visit was a "Question Time" style debate in which
around 50 pupils - aged between 9 and 11 - took Mr Timms to task over a variety
of issues.
Although the pupils posed many insightful questions,
amongst the most perceptive was about the difficult housing situation in Newham.
Mr Timms explained that the current shortage of affordable accommodation was
largely due to general increases in house prices over the past few years. Although
this situation - which sees over 1000 families living in Bed and Breakfast accommodation
- is far from suitable, Mr Timms explained that the Government is aware of the
problem, and is providing the funds to build extra houses for Newham.
Many other politically aware pupils asked a range
of questions on a number of key issues. A popular topic was the current war
in Afghanistan, with pupils demonstrating real concern for the world they live
in. The East Ham MP commented that although it was unfortunate that military
action had to be carried out, diplomatic efforts were exhausted and those responsible
for the tragedies of September 11th had to be taken to account to
ensure that such events would never happen again.
Following the visit Mr Timms remarked: "I
was very impressed with their perceptive questions. The pupils at St.Winefride?s
seem to have a real understanding of the world around them, and it is great
to see so many pupils taking an interest in politics. At a time when apathy
is the order of the day, it is very encouraging to see that these voters of
the future share a real concern for the well being of others"
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