Random Story from "The Learning Never Ends" book.

Between 1995 and 2003 I tutored for the WEA on the ‘Paths Through The Past’ Irish history programme, in both its accredited and non-accredited forms. Intentionally constructed to explore different theoretical approaches to history in general, and Irish history in particular, the programme always allowed for devil’s advocacy and a little gentle nudging towards other realities. In the peace process era one of my bug bears has become the grossly over-used phrase, “the reality is….” A key aspect of this programme was that conflictual and contradictory realities exist continually in our communal and personal experiences and understandings of history.

My first course, in the Lisburn YMCA, started on a note of interest, when the co-ordinating Community Relations Officer thought I was a paramilitary participant on the programme and needed some convincing that, appearances to the contrary, I was actually the delivering tutor. After that initial hiccup the course was a pleasure to deliver and a large and politically diverse intra-Protestant group turned up en bloc each week, enjoying new information and learning, complemented by vigorous discussion and debate. Even more importantly they presented me with a book token at the end (probably to read up on Irish history). One of the group later became deputy leader of a local political party.

My last stint was delivering the programme in Ballybeen estate, on the edge of East Belfast. I was on my own patch now, but was still intrigued by the differing viewpoints that came from a group who shared many initials, but contained many voices. With the course now accredited, learning outcomes, assessment criteria and work journals were part of the new landscape, so the bottle of distilled Russian potato extract, which they presented to me at the end of the course, was much needed and welcomed.

Paul Donnelly
(WEA Tutor)