Almost a quarter of NI parents prefer child not go to integrated schools
The survey was issued by the Education Authority (EA) to parents and guardians whose children were going through the school admission process.Almost half (46%) of those parents who responded were making preferences for post-primary schools.In one question, parents were asked what was the "most important" factor in the selection of their first-preference school.Of those who had an integrated school as their first preference, 32.5% said that "quality of education" was the most important factor.This was followed by "proximity to home" (14.6%) and wanting an integrated education (12.9%).For those whose first preference was a non-integrated school, 39.6% said "quality of education", 15.8% said "proximity to home" and 14.1% said "family or friends at school".
The vast majority, 85.3%, of those who selected an integrated school as their first preference said it was "important" or "very important" that their child attends an integrated school.Those who selected a non-integrated school were also asked if they would want their choice to transform to become an integrated school.In response, 37.5% said they "don't mind", while 37% responded "no" and 16.9% said "yes". The remainder said they did not know or would prefer not to say.The survey follows the Integrated Education Act which was passed in 2022 by the Northern Ireland Assembly.It requires the Department of Education to facilitate and support integrated education as well as measure demand.The legislation was the result of a private member's bill brought by the Alliance Party assembly member Kellie Armstrong.
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