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Belfast Telegraph
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Concerns over accuracy of department-led survey on integrated education in NI
Conversely though, the survey, which campaigners said they were 'blind-sided' by on its release on Tuesday morning, does show that almost three quarters of the 9,700 parents who responded to the questionnaire said they would prefer or would not mind if their child went to an integrated school. The Belfast Telegraph also understands there are further concerns about how the findings have been presented after authors claimed almost 25% of parents have expressed a preference for their child 'not to attend an integrated school', Meanwhile, it found 32.9% of parents said they had expressed a first preference for an integrated school, with 67.1% saying they hadn't. The survey reported that quality of education was the most important (32.5%) factor considered when selecting an integrated school as first preference. Quality of education was again the most important (39.6%) factor considered when selecting a non-Integrated school as first preference. Almost a quarter of parents (24.0%) said they would rather their child was not educated in an Integrated school compared with 31.2% who preferred sending their child to an integrated school. Of those who selected an integrated school as first preference, 85.3% stated that it was either important or very important that their child received their education in an integrated environment. The Department said the survey was conducted specifically to asses the views of parents towards integrated education. But it comes after Education Minister Paul Givan rejected a bid by Northern Ireland's largest school, Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College, to transform to integrated status earlier this year, despite a parental vote in favour of the move. Though the Department's Parental School Admission Survey 2025 has been released as a stand alone document, it is expected to feed in to a more general survey due for release in December this year which will also incorporate other data collected by both The Life and Times Survey 2024 and a Lucid Talk poll conducted by the Integrated Education Fund. The Lucid Talk poll found that 65% of parents felt integrated education should be the standard model for the school system in Northern Ireland while the Life and Times survey found that 55% of parents would prefer for their child to be educated in an integrated school. Though the latest Department of Education survey found that, 32.9% of parents said they had expressed an integrated school as the first choice for their child, currently only around 8% of pupils attend a school with integrated status. Proximity to home was the second most important factor in which school parents opted for, behind quality of education, though campaigners have pointed out that there remains a limited choice of integrated schools in many areas of NI. 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. Almost eight out of 10 parents (78.4%) said they had considered a school's admissions policy before deciding on a first preference selection for their child. Two thirds (66.4%) of parents made their school selections because their child met the admissions criteria well, though over a fifth (22.6%) of parents stated that the admissions criteria made no difference to their selection. The funeral of Jaidyn Rice takes places in Bangor Another potential issue is a lack of transparency over who responded to the survey, with the report noting that: 'policy officials responsible for drafting the Integrated Education Strategy contacted sectoral bodies asking them to encourage parents in their school sector to complete the survey and shared the link to the survey with them. This means it is possible that parents who did not go through the admissions process in 2025 may have completed the survey if they chose to access it though the survey link. This is considered unlikely, but it is not possible to determine the extent to 'which this may have occurred because the survey was anonymous.' The department said the survey was issued by the Education Authority to 63,349 parents whose children were going through the school admission process to meet the requirements of the Integrated Education Act and to measure demand.
South Wales Guardian
06-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Northern Ireland public wants to see action on child poverty
The provision of affordable childcare is the most popular measure among people in the region according to the poll carried out by LucidTalk for Save The Children NI. The charity also challenged the Stormont Executive to unveil the details of their anti-poverty strategy, which was agreed last month. The poll found that most believe child poverty has got worse, with 80% blaming that on the high cost of living, 49% pointing to a lack of affordable housing and 37% cited low wages and poor job opportunities. Recent figures from the Department for Communities (DfC) suggest that around 22% of children in Northern Ireland are growing up in poverty. The research also found that the public expects leadership from Westminster and Stormont to address child poverty. Some 70% indicated they see the UK Government as very responsible, with 66% believing Stormont is very responsible for tackling it. This comes after a previous poll revealed only 5% believe politicians are taking significant and effective action. Findings indicate that the Northern Ireland public want to see practical solutions to reduce costs and improve stability for families. This includes 67% wanting affordable childcare for all, 66% calling for more social housing, 67% better pay and conditions for workers, 64% seeking extra funding for schools in poorer areas and 60% in favour of universal free school meals. Meanwhile 46% favoured increases in child related benefits and 40% wanted increases to parental leave. Head of Save the Children NI Peter Bryson said the research underlines that people want to see action on child poverty. 'Clearly people in Northern Ireland see child poverty as a core issue and want to see ambition and action from our political leaders when it comes to tackling it,' he said. 'What we see in these findings is that the public don't want the Executive to repeat the mistakes of the past. 'We urge the Executive to immediately publish details of the Anti-Poverty Strategy so it can be scrutinised. 'People want an ambitious plan that sets out concrete targets, realistic objectives and tangible steps to bring about transformation for the one in four children here who live daily with the limiting realities of poverty.'
ITV News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Northern Ireland public wants to see action on child poverty
Most of the Northern Ireland public want to see government take action to address child poverty, new research has found. The provision of affordable childcare is the most popular measure among people in the region according to the poll carried out by LucidTalk for Save The Children NI. The charity also challenged the Stormont Executive to unveil the details of their anti-poverty strategy, which was agreed last month. The poll found that most believe child poverty has got worse, with 80% blaming that on the high cost of living, 49% pointing to a lack of affordable housing and 37% cited low wages and poor job opportunities. Recent figures from the Department for Communities (DfC) suggest that around 22% of children in Northern Ireland are growing up in poverty. The research also found that the public expects leadership from Westminster and Stormont to address child poverty. Some 70% indicated they see the UK Government as very responsible, with 66% believing Stormont is very responsible for tackling it. This comes after a previous poll revealed only 5% believe politicians are taking significant and effective action. Findings indicate that the Northern Ireland public want to see practical solutions to reduce costs and improve stability for families. This includes 67% wanting affordable childcare for all, 66% calling for more social housing, 67% better pay and conditions for workers, 64% seeking extra funding for schools in poorer areas and 60% in favour of universal free school meals. Meanwhile 46% favoured increases in child related benefits and 40% wanted increases to parental leave. Head of Save the Children NI Peter Bryson said the research underlines that people want to see action on child poverty. 'Clearly people in Northern Ireland see child poverty as a core issue and want to see ambition and action from our political leaders when it comes to tackling it,' he said. 'What we see in these findings is that the public don't want the Executive to repeat the mistakes of the past. 'We urge the Executive to immediately publish details of the Anti-Poverty Strategy so it can be scrutinised. 'People want an ambitious plan that sets out concrete targets, realistic objectives and tangible steps to bring about transformation for the one in four children here who live daily with the limiting realities of poverty.' Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Rhyl Journal
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Northern Ireland public wants to see action on child poverty
The provision of affordable childcare is the most popular measure among people in the region according to the poll carried out by LucidTalk for Save The Children NI. The charity also challenged the Stormont Executive to unveil the details of their anti-poverty strategy, which was agreed last month. The poll found that most believe child poverty has got worse, with 80% blaming that on the high cost of living, 49% pointing to a lack of affordable housing and 37% cited low wages and poor job opportunities. Recent figures from the Department for Communities (DfC) suggest that around 22% of children in Northern Ireland are growing up in poverty. The research also found that the public expects leadership from Westminster and Stormont to address child poverty. Some 70% indicated they see the UK Government as very responsible, with 66% believing Stormont is very responsible for tackling it. This comes after a previous poll revealed only 5% believe politicians are taking significant and effective action. Findings indicate that the Northern Ireland public want to see practical solutions to reduce costs and improve stability for families. This includes 67% wanting affordable childcare for all, 66% calling for more social housing, 67% better pay and conditions for workers, 64% seeking extra funding for schools in poorer areas and 60% in favour of universal free school meals. Meanwhile 46% favoured increases in child related benefits and 40% wanted increases to parental leave. Head of Save the Children NI Peter Bryson said the research underlines that people want to see action on child poverty. 'Clearly people in Northern Ireland see child poverty as a core issue and want to see ambition and action from our political leaders when it comes to tackling it,' he said. 'What we see in these findings is that the public don't want the Executive to repeat the mistakes of the past. 'We urge the Executive to immediately publish details of the Anti-Poverty Strategy so it can be scrutinised. 'People want an ambitious plan that sets out concrete targets, realistic objectives and tangible steps to bring about transformation for the one in four children here who live daily with the limiting realities of poverty.'
Powys County Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Northern Ireland public wants to see action on child poverty
Most of the Northern Ireland public want to see government take action to address child poverty, new research has found. The provision of affordable childcare is the most popular measure among people in the region according to the poll carried out by LucidTalk for Save The Children NI. The charity also challenged the Stormont Executive to unveil the details of their anti-poverty strategy, which was agreed last month. The poll found that most believe child poverty has got worse, with 80% blaming that on the high cost of living, 49% pointing to a lack of affordable housing and 37% cited low wages and poor job opportunities. Recent figures from the Department for Communities (DfC) suggest that around 22% of children in Northern Ireland are growing up in poverty. The research also found that the public expects leadership from Westminster and Stormont to address child poverty. Some 70% indicated they see the UK Government as very responsible, with 66% believing Stormont is very responsible for tackling it. This comes after a previous poll revealed only 5% believe politicians are taking significant and effective action. Findings indicate that the Northern Ireland public want to see practical solutions to reduce costs and improve stability for families. This includes 67% wanting affordable childcare for all, 66% calling for more social housing, 67% better pay and conditions for workers, 64% seeking extra funding for schools in poorer areas and 60% in favour of universal free school meals. Meanwhile 46% favoured increases in child related benefits and 40% wanted increases to parental leave. Head of Save the Children NI Peter Bryson said the research underlines that people want to see action on child poverty. 'Clearly people in Northern Ireland see child poverty as a core issue and want to see ambition and action from our political leaders when it comes to tackling it,' he said. 'What we see in these findings is that the public don't want the Executive to repeat the mistakes of the past. 'We urge the Executive to immediately publish details of the Anti-Poverty Strategy so it can be scrutinised. 'People want an ambitious plan that sets out concrete targets, realistic objectives and tangible steps to bring about transformation for the one in four children here who live daily with the limiting realities of poverty.'
