PARENTS have collected signatures on a petition protesting at plans for their children to sing a Lithuanian song at a multi cultural concert.

Cambs Times: Parents from Peckover Primary School, protest about children being forced to sing a Lithuanian song at a performance at Thomas Clarkson, Left: Adam Meldrum, Alfie Wakefield.Parents from Peckover Primary School, protest about children being forced to sing a Lithuanian song at a performance at Thomas Clarkson, Left: Adam Meldrum, Alfie Wakefield. (Image: Archant)

Parent and petition organiser Tamara Meldrum said: “The children are coming home crying because they don’t know what they are singing and they are scared.”

Cambs Times: Parents from Peckover Primary School. protest about children being forced to sing a Lithuanian song at a performance at Thomas Clarkson. Reporter Kath Sansom with a group of parents.Parents from Peckover Primary School. protest about children being forced to sing a Lithuanian song at a performance at Thomas Clarkson. Reporter Kath Sansom with a group of parents. (Image: Archant)

She said that pupils at Peckover Primary School, Wisbech, where more than a third are Eastern Europeans, have been told that if they cannot sing the words then they can mime them.

Ms Meldrum added: “They’re not even teaching them what it means, at least that would make some sense, but as it stands the children have no idea why they are being forced to do it.

Principal Sarah Conant said: “The children have spent time learning the words and understanding what they mean with the help of our excellent teaching staff and language and music specialists.

“We have made sure that children understand what they are singing about and that they learn to appreciate other cultures.”

She said that alternative arrangements had been made for pupils not taking part in the hour-long concert next Monday at Thomas Clarkson Academy to remain at school.

She said the end of term celebration was being attended by the mayor, Councillor Sam Hoy, and had been made possible by a grant from the county council’s cultural fund.

Parents insist their complaints are not racist, more, they simply cannot understand why children are being forced to take time out of their usual time tabled lessons to learn a song that they have no idea of its meaning.

Parent Clare Eve said: “Children don’t know what they are singing about but if we complain we are accused of being racist and yet this isn’t the case.

“If your child is upset then surely you have the right for freedom of speech to voice your opinion.”

Ms Conant added: “Children have been keen and enthusiastic to take part in this inclusive community event.”