The Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) and the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) will both take time to fully consider and review the ‘Department of Education Position Paper on Integrated Education’ detailed Ministerial Statement. 

However, we would like to express enormous disappointment at the decisions taken by the Education Minister to refuse Integrated status to several schools in Northern Ireland. Our thoughts are with the children, parents, staff, and wider school communities who were at the centre of these proposals. 

Rather than being able to focus solely on welcoming pupils back and planning for a successful year ahead, these schools are having to deal with the impact of a negative and devastating decision at the start of a new academic year. 

We appreciate the significant amount of time, energy and commitment each school has already dedicated to the Transformation process.  We are committed to continuing to support them.

NICIE and the IEF are proud of the many schools who have undergone Transformation to Integrated status.  The evidence suggests that the majority of these schools have succeeded in increasing their minority intake over time. However, Integrated Education cannot be reduced to just numbers of Protestant and Catholic children alone. Many parents who chose Integrated schools do not fit into these traditional categories. Integrated Education promotes an intentional ethos which permeates every aspect of school life.  It is also reflected in the governance of the school where Board members set the vision and ethos of the school.  

Parental demand for Integrated Education cannot be ignored. The Department of Education has a legal duty to not only measure demand, but it must also aim to meet that demand.  This statement would indicate further barriers preventing schools from transforming to Integrated status.  The question must be asked of the Department, how exactly do they intend to meet parental demand in these areas? 

Integrated Education remains focused on the path towards a future where more children in Northern Ireland are educated together, side by side, learning from and with each other every day in an environment of respect and understanding.