A SCOTS parent living in Bradford has expressed concern that their young child is having to take part in “One Britain One Nation” (Obon) week at their primary school.
The week involves pupils dressing up in red, white and blue and singing an “anthem” called “One Britain One Dream”, which ends with the repeating lines “Strong Britain Great Nation”.
One of the aims of the Obon organisation is to “re-appropriate” the Union flag, but the parent who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, said they had no doubt it was political: “One organisation can’t re-appropriate the Union Jack to their message/ideology.
“History has shown that movements like that breed fanatics.
“If that symbol of negativity is to be changed it would be through the input of all nations.”
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In a letter to schools, which The National has seen, Obon said that during the week beginning June 21, the schools will be engaging in “learning about famous Britons, finding out how our history has shaped our country and celebrating our traditions”.
As well as the dress colour code and packed lunch instructions, pupils are being asked to bring a home-made “British” flag to “wave at our celebration”.
“In these challenging times, it is so important we help the children to forge happy memories,” the letter continues.
“We hope that this week will really bring the whole school together and give us shared sense of togetherness and pride.”
However, the Scottish parent told us their main issue was that an organisation was being allowed to access a school.
They said: “An organisation that is controlling the narrative delivered to our children.
“I’m totally fine with the concept of British values, being that we all agree on the fundamentals of freedom and rights, however, from their literature, it certainly feels that they are discounting or completely ignoring the cultural and geographical make-up of the UK.
“For lack of a better word, its creepy. Not only that, they have a dedicated team formed within the school to promote it ... this all feels very strange.”
They added: “As a parent I understand I have a responsibility to teach my child the values and information I deem important.
“It’s not the school’s responsibility to fill in the gaps I see and I don’t expect any school to bend to the whims of each parent, but I can’t help feel that all of this is a direction we shouldn’t be moving down regardless of my personal political views.
“Looking at the pictures of children waving the Obon-emblazoned flags with a Union Jack and two lions from the English side of the coat of arms just filled me with dread.”
The school is run by the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, which did not respond to The National’s request for comment.
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Former West Yorkshire Police inspector Kash Singh is the founder and chief executive of Obon, as well as being chair of the British Indian Association, which he also founded.
The group’s Facebook page has around 500 followers, with a similar number on Twitter and they have run Obon events in schools since they were founded five years ago, in Bradford.
They say want to create a “strong, fair, harmonious and a proud British Nation, celebrating patriotism and respect for all our people”.
It urges schools: “We need the support of your school to celebrate the day in the spirit it is intended … but to do the following as a MUST please … Encourage every child in your school to clap for a minute to recognise, embrace and pay tribute to all those people who helped during the Covid 19 pandemic crisis.
“Sing the Obon day 2021 anthem written by school children at St John’s CE Primary School, Bradford titled ‘We are Britain and we have one dream to unite all people in one Great Team’.”
Obon commented: "Obon wants to see every child develop a strong emotional and meaningful connection with our country and its people by recognising that we are all one people with a role to play in the life of our nation where everyone must feel happy, safe and valued.
"Obon wants to create a spirit of inclusion with a collective purpose and a common future where we all seek to eliminate hatred, intolerance and discrimination of any kind so that all our people can feel and develop a strong and shared sense of belonging in order to showcase their pride, passion and love for our great nation."
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