NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
Date 21 April 2013
Report opens doors to increase of Integrated Education
NICIE welcomes the publication of the Shared Education Report which places centre stage the role of education in a divided society. The focus on shared education is an implicit judgement on our segregated system and the way it separates our children. The report defines what is meant by shared education and opens up the debate on how we best connect our children and young people.
Shared Education, as defined in the report, works within our segregated system. Through this approach we will connect classrooms across the divide, i.e. by bringing children together from different schools in their different uniforms for specific learning purposes. But does this go far enough? The report argues that schools in Northern Ireland should be made legally accountable for promoting equality and good relations. Such accountability would surely challenge the notion of single identity schools and promote the opening up of schools to all in an environment that promotes parity of esteem.
Shared Education, as defined, is not an alternative to Integrated Education, which challenges the notion of single identity schools in a divided society and instead promotes the education of children together as the norm. However, the recommendations in the report do open up the way for a significant increase in integrated provision. The recommendations call for a response to parental demand.
If that is acted on the 340 three year olds denied an integrated education two weeks ago and the 140 Primary 1s denied a place in an integrated school last week would be guaranteed their choice of an integrated education. They would not be expected to make do with a single identity alternative. The recommendations recognise the primacy of parental choice and as such should allow for the provision of integrated education an all areas. The recommendations allow for schools with mixed intakes to start a process of change which will allow them to become integrated in ethos and to have this recognised through the incorporation of the name integrated into their title. This is a policy NICIE is working on.
Noreen Campbell, CEO of NICIE, said: ‘It is heartening to see attention being paid to the divided nature of our education system. It is heartening to see it recognised that our children and young people and future society can only benefit from having the opportunity to meet and learn from and with and about each other. The challenge is to ensure that we enable this to happen in a way which accepts difference and promotes mutual respect. The challenge is to ensure that this is not a lost opportunity, that we see this report as a start in the process of desegregating our educational system. John O’Dowd, in responding to the report said, ‘Education has a vital role to play in developing the type of shared society that we aspire to.’ Education should model that type of society, We do that best through the full sharing and celebration of diversity which is integration.
Thirty years of experience in integrated schools has ensured the development of a model of education based on parity of esteem for both main traditions, which explores and celebrates difference, where each child can speak her/his name and where no child is expected to assimilate to a dominant identity. There are many challenges ahead as we seek to make this reality available to all those seeking integrated education. The debate and discussion which will follow publication of the report must result in the shaping of a new educational future for our children.’
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson please contact Noreen Campbell, Chief Executive Officer at (028) 9097 2910 or mob. 07878721327 or via email to ncampbell@nicie.org.uk or Olwen Griffith, Senior Development Officer tel: (028) 9097 2910.
Notes to the Editor
- In Northern Ireland, about 93% of children attend schools which are either exclusively or predominantly Catholic or Protestant. The first integrated school, Lagan College, opened in 1981 with 28 pupils. There are currently 62 integrated schools in Northern Ireland, 20 second level colleges and 42 integrated primaries, educating over 21,000 pupils.
- A recent Ipsos Mori poll found that almost 90% of the population support Integrated Education and more than 90% believe that Integrated Education is important for promoting a shared and better future and promoting mutual process.
- Integrated schools are co-educational, accept children from all levels of ability and social backgrounds and practise a child-centred approach to teaching methods.
- Established in 1987, The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) is a voluntary organisation that was set up to develop, support and promote Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. The underpinning principles of Integrated Education is that by bringing Catholic, Protestant and children of other faiths together in a shared learning environment, they can learn to understand, respect and tolerate their differences. For more information please visit www.nicie.org
