THE UK Government has said it is asking schools across the UK to celebrate One Britain One Nation (OBON) Day on Friday, despite education being devolved.
The Department for Education wrote online that it is encouraging schools across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to participate in the event, which one parent told The National is “creepy” last month.
Schools in the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council area signed up to celebrate the day, which one Scottish parent expressed their concerns over.
The celebrations involve school pupils dressing up in red, white and blue and singing their “anthem”, called One Britain One Dream, which ends with the repeating lines: “Strong Britain Great Nation”.
The OBON organisers also state they want to “re-appropriate” the Union flag, which children are encouraged to wave on the day.
READ MORE: ‘One Britain One Nation’ event at child's school sparks Scots parent's anger
The initiative was set up by former West Yorkshire Police inspector Kash Singh, with the aim of creating a “strong, fair, harmonious and proud British nation, celebrating patriotism and respect for all our people”.
The anonymous parent told The National: “History has shown that movements like that breed fanatics. For lack of a better word, its creepy.”
Yesterday in the Commons, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson called OBON “an amazing project”, adding it is “so incredibly important that schools do take part in it”.
“We’ve already asked schools to be able to participate in this and we are very happy from the dispatch box to reiterate that endorsement of this project and encourage them to play their part in it.”
And on social media, the Department for Education wrote: “We're encouraging schools across the UK to celebrate One Britain One Nation Day on 25 June, when children can learn about our shared values of tolerance, kindness, pride and respect.”
Most schools in Scotland will close for the summer holidays on June 24.
READ MORE: 'One Britain One Nation' group branded 'creepy' by parent as outrage erupts
OBON say it “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”.
A spokesperson told The National the organisation wants the public to recognise “we are all one people with a role to play in the life of our nation where everyone must feel happy, safe and valued”.
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