WWII’s impact in NI is vital to teaching history – Allister

Traditional Unionist Voice MP for North Antrim, Jim Allister recently visited the Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum in Belfast, where he met staff to discuss the Department of Education’s proposed changes to the Northern Ireland curriculum.

The proposals would reduce the focus in primary school history on the Second World War and its impact in Northern Ireland. Its absence from the illustrative content for Key Stages 1 and 2 could lead schools to conclude that the subject is no longer intended for primary study. That would be a great loss.

Mr Allister said: “The Second World War was a defining event in our history, and its impact on the people of Northern Ireland is an important part of what children should learn. I am calling on the Department to retain it as an illustrative example of a historically significant event.

“The Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum is a valued facility that brings this history to life, particularly for children. It helps them understand the momentous effect the war had on people here.

“If you have not visited the museum on Talbot Street in Belfast, I encourage you to do so. It is well worth a visit.”

The Northern Ireland War Memorial also called NI War Memorial and War Memorial was opened in 2007 in Talbot Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It replaced an earlier building called Memorial House which was located in Waring Street on a site which was bombed during the Blitz in 1941.

The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4:30pm and every Saturday from 12 noon to 4pm.

Free admission, no booking required.