Ógra in Upper Bann Launch Educate to be Free Campaign

Ógra Shinn Féin in Upper Bann launched their new education campaign this week, entitled “Educate to be Free”. The launch, by the National Secretary of Ógra Cllr. Johnny McGibbon and Ógra Sinn Féin Equality Spokesperson Gemma McKenna. was hosted by Sinn Féin’s Education Spokesperson John O’Dowd. The launch, which was part of a national day of action across Ireland, is the beginning of a campaign that will focus on various aspects of education including budgets, Post Primary Reform and Irish medium education.

Opening the launch John O’Dowd MLA stated,

“Today Ógra Shinn Féin is launching a campaign called ‘Educate to be Free.’ The campaign sets out to work for equality in our education system north and south, and bring Sinn Féin’s message on education to young people.”

Sinn Féin Councillor Johnny McGibbon explained the reasoning behind the campaign,

“Education is the most important aspect of our society. It affects all citizens at some point in their lives and Sinn Féin has treated it with the appropriate degree of seriousness. Sinn Féin took up the Ministry for Education here in the north, when many others were trying to avoid it. We took the challenge head on, and are now trying to bring about the real change and equality needed within our education system.”

Ógra Sinn Féin Equality Spokesperson Gemma McKenna outlined future plans and said,

“Over the coming months we will be campaigning on issues such as tuition fees, post primary school reform, budgets and adequate provision for those being educated through the Irish language. Fundamental to our campaign is the belief that education is a right for all, and not a privilege. All children must have equality of opportunity in our education system.”