NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
25 February, 2014
Great News for Integrated Education – Minister announces additional places for two integrated schools
The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) welcomes the approval by the Minister for Education, John O’Dowd, of additional places in Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle and in Enniskillen Integrated Primary. This proposal will mean that up to 300 additional places will be available in these integrated schools over the coming years.
This is good news for parents in both Enniskillen and Newcastle eager to secure places in these oversubscribed schools. Both schools offer educational excellence at the highest level in an integrated environment which promotes respect and celebrates diversity.
Noreen Campbell, CEO of NICIE said:
NICIE is committed to ensuring that all parents seeking an integrated place are assured one. This increase in places will support this aim in these areas. Six other integrated colleges are seeking to ensure they can meet parental demand through similar development proposals as are a significant number of integrated primaries.
It is encouraging to see integrated schools gaining approval to grow. Unfortunately, in many areas there is still no integrated choice for parents. Through Area Based Planning NICIE is seeking to ensure that there is such choice in every area to meet parental demand for integrated education.
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
