DEVASTATED PUPILS LEARN TO COPE
Devastated pupils learn how to cope
By Gary Grattan
Education Correspondent
EXPERTS in child trauma have been drafted in to schools in Omagh to help children cope in the aftermath of the bomb atrocity.
The Centre for Crisis Management and Education has responded to a plea from the Western Education and Library Board.
The centre's specialist staff have worked with children in the wake of disasters such as the Dunblane and Hungerford shootings and the Lockerbie and Docklands bombings - as well as in countries such as Israel, Croatia and America.
Director Elizabeth Capewell, a former teacher and youth and community worker, has given courses to teachers in Omagh, Enniskillen and Londonderry in 1994 and worked regularly with schools in the WELB area over the past three years.
WELB chief executive Joe Martin said the bombing had left grief and suffering on an unprecedented scale in the area.
"The toll of young lives has been particularly horrendous. Pupils at schools in the area and students at college and university are among the dead and seriously injured.
"Many others have witnessed horrific scenes and there are few who do not have friends and relatives deeply affected by the traumatic events.
"A former employee of the board and his son are dead; other board employees are among the injured.
"Board officers have visited the homes of all the local pupils who died. To the families of all of them our hearts go out as they begin to come to terms with the consequences of this tragedy," he said.
Mr Martin said that, in addition to the specialist advice, the resources of all the WELB's support services would be made available.
"The board recognises that the education service has a vital role to play in the long-term recovery, not only of the pupils, but also of the community as a whole.
"It will give strategic assistance to schools and individuals as appropriate," he added.
By Gary Grattan
Education Correspondent
EXPERTS in child trauma have been drafted in to schools in Omagh to help children cope in the aftermath of the bomb atrocity.
The Centre for Crisis Management and Education has responded to a plea from the Western Education and Library Board.
The centre's specialist staff have worked with children in the wake of disasters such as the Dunblane and Hungerford shootings and the Lockerbie and Docklands bombings - as well as in countries such as Israel, Croatia and America.
Director Elizabeth Capewell, a former teacher and youth and community worker, has given courses to teachers in Omagh, Enniskillen and Londonderry in 1994 and worked regularly with schools in the WELB area over the past three years.
WELB chief executive Joe Martin said the bombing had left grief and suffering on an unprecedented scale in the area.
"The toll of young lives has been particularly horrendous. Pupils at schools in the area and students at college and university are among the dead and seriously injured.
"Many others have witnessed horrific scenes and there are few who do not have friends and relatives deeply affected by the traumatic events.
"A former employee of the board and his son are dead; other board employees are among the injured.
"Board officers have visited the homes of all the local pupils who died. To the families of all of them our hearts go out as they begin to come to terms with the consequences of this tragedy," he said.
Mr Martin said that, in addition to the specialist advice, the resources of all the WELB's support services would be made available.
"The board recognises that the education service has a vital role to play in the long-term recovery, not only of the pupils, but also of the community as a whole.
"It will give strategic assistance to schools and individuals as appropriate," he added.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0304
Published Date: 28-Aug-98
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