In their submission to the Education Committee Inquiry into Shared and Integrated Education, CCMS called on the Department to dispense with its statutory duty to encourage and facilitate Integrated Education. NICIE is shocked and dismayed by this controversial demand. We are concerned by the deeper implication that that this would have for the Belfast Agreement which includes the same commitment. We are equally concerned by the reasons advanced for such action.

CCMS argues that our society is too polarised, with divided communities fearful of each other, for Integrated Education to be successful. The integrated movement was established to address this division. Fear of change runs deep in our society and there is much evidence of such fear in the CCMS’s submission. CCMS’s submission is based on the assumption that the statutory obligation is being fully implemented. NICIE argues that this is not the case and a recent judicial review reminded the Department of the need to keep this obligation live.

CCMS draws attention to the issue of transformation but fails to explain why only one maintained school has ever explored this option, Clintyclay Primary School in recent months. CCMS also has never explained why they have not supported the transformation process by appointing Catholic governors to the boards of transformed schools.

CCMS ignores the barriers to the expansion of Integrated Education. The most significant is the absence of a means of planning for providing the choice of integrated schools. A catholic parent seeking a catholic education will have a choice of these schools at hand. The same parent, if they wish an integrated education, is expected to get together with other parents and plan this provision themselves. Such a situation is inequitable and discriminatory and must be redressed.

Area based planning might have helped had planning happened on an area basis but instead it is carried out on a sectoral basis.

CCMS says we must wait for a mature society before we can change. NICIE says trust the wishes of parents, reflect the changed society we have and recognise the power of education to lead and shape change. These are the issues we wish to debate in a public forum with CCMS.

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