More Would Vote for Integrated Education

More Would Vote for Integrated Education

New research published independently by Millward Brown Ulster revealed that 80% of the people surveyed would like to see their MP, MLA or local councillor support Integrated Education in Northern Ireland.

59% of respondents said that next time they vote, they are more likely to vote for a political party or candidate that included support for Integrated Education in their manifesto. 61% of Catholics and 59% of Protestants agreed with this statement.

Michael Wardlow, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIIE) said, ‘ The survey confirms the fact that public opinion is strongly behind a shared future in which children are educated together as the norm. These findings should send a strong message to our local politicians on how they should be developing their education manifestos to ensure they will deliver on what people really want for our children. I hope that they have the courage to respond’.

The survey was an omnibus carried out by Millward Brown Ulster in July 2006 and the interviews were conducted over the period 20th-27th July. A total of 1027 16+ adults were interviewed face-to-face. The interviewing was carried out to MRS, IQCS and MRQSA standards.

Stephen Young, MBU Director said,‘The research indicates, yet again, very high levels of public support for integrated education in Northern Ireland and the public's interest in backing political candidates and parties whose manifestoes include a commitment to integration in our schools’.

An earlier Millward Brown Ulster Omnibus Survey in March 2006 showed that 82% of people in Northern Ireland believe that Integrated Education is important to the peace and reconciliation process.

Baroness Blood, a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated Education at Westminster and chair of the Integrated Education Campaign Fund (IEF), added: ‘This important research should send out a clear message that the majority of people in Northern Ireland want to see Integrated Education.Our political parties should now address the issue of how to reconstruct our education system in a way that facilitates the clear desire from the electorate for more integrated choice’.

Ends

Results Attached as Graphs in PowerPoint Slides

Contact: Philip O’Sullivan or Deborah Girvan at NICIE on 9023 6200 or 07710 882431

Notes to the Editor

1.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, and none, together in a shared learning environment, they can learn to understand, respect and accept their differences.By choosing an Integrated Education, children and their parents are contributing to the peace and reconciliation process in Northern Ireland. For more information please visit www.nicie.org

2.The Integrated Education Fund (IEF) is a charitable trust established in 1992 to provide a financial foundation for the development and growth of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. The Fund launched its development plan in October 1998 with the aim of increasing the number of school places from 3% to 10% within 10 years and to raise £10million to support this growth. Since 1998 the IEF has raised over £10.5million and given out approximately £8million in grants.For more information on funding and grants for integrated education please visit www.ief.org.uk .

3.In Northern Ireland, 95% of children attend segregated schools i.e. either predominately Catholic or Protestant. The first integrated school, LaganCollege, opened in 1981 with 28 pupils. There are currently 58 integrated schools in Northern Ireland, 19-second level colleges and 39 integrated primaries, educating nearly 18,000 pupils.This represents 5.3% of the total school going population.

4.Integrated schools are co-educational, accept children from all levels of ability and social backgrounds and practice a child-centred approach to teaching methods.

5.Due to parental demand over 600 pupils were turned away in September 2005 from integrated schools because there are not enough places to satisfy demand.