Education Minister blocks parent’s democratic desire for Integrated Education
Integrated AlumNI press release
Education Minister blocks parent’s democratic desire for Integrated Education
Paul Givan stands in the way of the democratic will of parents, despite the proposals gathering far higher percentages of vote share than his own election.
Nearly three years after passage of the Integrated Education Act (2022), the Department of Education is still not meeting its statutory obligation to meet demand for Integration.
Further indications of a lack of commitment to Integrated Education, following last year’s £150 million cuts for much-needed new buildings in Integrated schools
Integrated AlumNI - the campaign group of past pupils of Integrated Education who advocate for further integration - has condemned the Education Minister, Paul Givan, for today’s decision to block two Co.Down schools from becoming Integrated Schools, despite overwhelming majorities of parents in both schools voting for Integration.
At Bangor Academy, Northern Ireland’s single biggest school, 82.3% of parents voted for the school to become an Integrated school. At Rathmore Primary School, 79.4% of parents voted for integration. Last year, Paul Givan said “I do believe in parental choice when it comes to education – to bring their children up in the type of school that they believe is most appropriate to them – and that’s something that I want to protect for everybody.”
Integrated AlumNI say that almost three years after the passage of the Integrated Education Act (which placed a duty on the Department of Education to meet the demand and support for Integrated Education), and after last year’s cut by the NI Executive of £150 million in promised funding for much-needed new buildings for ten Integrated schools, this is yet more indications that the Executive is not taking its responsibilities for peacebuilding seriously.
Dr. Matthew O’Neill, Chairperson of Integrated AlumNI, said:
“82% or 79% is a vote share our politicians can only dream of when they stand for election - so why is Paul Givan blocking the democratic wishes of parents in both of these schools to become Integrated?
The Integrated Education Act (2022) says clearly that the Department of Education must meet the demand for Integrated Education. At both of these schools, parents voted overwhelmingly to turn their schools integrated. What clearer picture of demand could there be?
The Minister is allowing toxic party politics to be prioritised over the wishes of parents - the concerns of Integrated Education advocates for him taking the role have been realised. After the £150 million cuts for new Integrated school buildings next year, what new low will the Minister take us to next?” This decision must be reversed and the democratic will of parents must be respected.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Paul Givan made eight decisions today on Development Proposals for Integrated schools including Bangor Academy and Rathmore, but Bangor Academy and Rathmore are among the more significant, especially given Bangor Academy is the single biggest school in Northern Ireland.
Integrated AlumNI is the network for past pupils of Integrated Education. The voices of those with first-hand experience of Integrated Education are its best advocates. https://www.integratedalumni.org/
Polling shows over two-thirds of people in NI believe that Integrated Education should be the ‘main model.’
For any press enquiries please contact chair@integratedalumni.org