What are the implications of more integrated education in Northern Ireland? MPs to examine
The education system in Northern Ireland comes under MPs’ spotlight in an upcoming Northern Ireland Affairs Committee evidence gathering session.
In the opening session of its integrated education inquiry, the cross-party committee will question academics on the implications of a more unified education system in Northern Ireland and the barriers to its expansion.
Meeting details
NI’s Department of Education published an Integrated Education Strategy last year, but there are concerns about its effectiveness and stakeholders have called for the Department to set specific targets.
Witnesses include researchers behind the recent Transforming Education Project paper, ‘The cost of division in Northern Ireland’, which attracted attention last year for casting light on the social and economic costs associated with a divided education system.
Integrated education refers to a system whereby pupils from different religious and cultural backgrounds, and with different educational needs, are educated together in the same school. There are currently 71 integrated schools in Northern Ireland, amounting to around 8% of the school population.