The measurement of demand for Integrated Education is now a legal requirement of the Integrated Education Act (2022) which was passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
A recent report by the Department of Education indicated that 31% of parents would prefer their child attended an Integrated school in Northern Ireland, yet only 8% of school places are currently in Integrated schools.
In addition, 24% of parents indicated preference for a non-Integrated school, yet currently 92% of school places are in non-Integrated schools.
Another major survey, also containing questions commissioned by the Department of Education, indicates that unmet demand may be even higher.
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey was carried out by ARK social policy hub which is comprised of researchers from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, which has been recording the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people in Northern Ireland on a wide range of social policy issues since 1998. This year’s survey was carried out between September and November 2024 with 1,199 adults aged 18 years or over interviewed.
In a series of questions sponsored by the Department of Education in the Life and Times Survey, those polled were asked ‘If you were deciding where to send your child/children to school, would you prefer an Integrated school?’ Over half, 55%, replied ‘Yes’, they would prefer an Integrated school.
The Life and Times survey asked parents whose children did not go to an Integrated primary and post-primary school the reasons why not, with the answers reinforcing the current under-provision of Integrated school places. 66% said there was no Integrated primary school nearby, 8% said there was ‘no point applying’ due to oversubscription and a further 5% said they did apply but did not get a place due to oversubscription. For post-primary, similar issues of no Integrated post-primary school nearby and oversubscription were the main reasons given.
Paul Caskey, Chief Executive of the Integrated Education Fund commented: “The IEF welcomes any attempt to fairly and accurately measure demand for Integrated Education. Regardless of the methodology of each survey, one thing is clear, there is unmet demand.
“Whether you want to talk about 31% or 55%, there is a significant gap between the 8% currently available. A gap between supply and demand that has been apparent for decades, yet there has been no requirement for government to act.
“Following the passing of the Integrated Education Act (2022) NI, thankfully that is no longer the case. There is now a clear legal duty on the Department and indeed the Education Authority to aim to meet such demand. According to the Department’s own survey this would mean an increase in Integrated provision by almost 300%. In short, there is a lot to do if our education system wishes to reflect parental preference.
“There is a clear need for a meaningful action to support the growth of Integrated Education, otherwise too many parents will be denied the choice of an Integrated Education for their child.”
