NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
16 May, 2014
JUDICIAL REVIEW – Drumragh Integrated College and Department of Education
A significant milestone for integrated education.
The judgement on May 15 from Judge Treacy in judicial review marks a significant milestone in the development of integrated education.
Judge Treacy reaffirmed the distinct nature of the integrated model in a succinct definition which captures the essence of integrated education as understood by parents and the public, the education together of catholic and protestant children in one school: ‘…integrated education must be the service of imparting knowledge to young people from all backgrounds as equals.’
Judge Treacy further distinguished between schools which are mixed and integrated schools, and judged that ‘a school which has a predominantly catholic or predominantly protestant ethos … cannot be said to be delivering integrated education’. This acknowledges that education in a mixed school, but with a majority culture, cannot be equated with the equality of respect accorded to both major traditions and to others from different cultures which is the bedrock of integrated education.
Most importantly, the judge highlighted the detrimental effect of the needs model, which is the basis of area based planning, on the encouragement and facilitation of integrated education and reminded DE of their duty under article 64 of the Education Reform Order’ to be alive to this duty at all levels including the strategic level.’
Noreen Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, said: “This decision is a testament to the tenacity and courage of the principal and board of governors of Drumragh Integrated College. Their determination to serve all parents seeking integrated education in the Omagh area led to this case.
‘It is to be hoped that future demand for integrated provision will now be met and that the barriers that still face it today, twenty five years on from the original statutory support offered through the Education Reform Order of 1989, will be removed.
‘Had the duty to encourage and facilitate been actively implemented we would have seen a much more rapid increase in the spread of integrated education. This judgement now allows for such development.’
You can read the Press Summary here: press summary drumragh and the ruling here: judgment drumragh
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson please contact Noreen Campbell, Chief Executive Officer at (028) 9097 2910, mobile 0787 8721327 or via e-mail to ncampbell@nicie.org.uk or via email to lmcivor@nicie.org.uk
Notes to the Editor
1. 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, altogether educating over 22,000 pupils.
2. A recent Millward Brown survey found that 83% of parents in Belfast believe that integrated education is a vital part of building a shared future in Northern Ireland. 72% of parents believe that funding for integrated education should be prioritised, with enough places available for those who wish to send their children to an integrated school.
3. Integrated schools are co-educational, accept children from all levels of ability and social backgrounds and practice a child-centred approach to teaching methods.
4. 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 principle of integrated education is that by bringing together Catholic, Protestant and children of other faiths in a shared environment, they can learn to understand, respect and tolerate differences. For more information please visit www.nicie.org
