DUP's Integrated Education Plan 'Vague'

As debate on the possible introduction of fully integrated schooling for NI continues, the former First Minister's philosophy on education has been branded "vague".

In response to a speech made by DUP Leader Peter Robinson discussing plans for a single schools system, Alliance Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn (pictured here) has said the plans were vague.

He said they did not demonstrate the real need for increased integrated school places and sharing amongst sectors: "Whilst I welcome Peter Robinson echoing Alliance views on the need to end division in our schools system, the detail regarding his plan is very vague.

"Alliance is ambitious for education in Northern Ireland and we want to see the transformation of our system to deliver far more sharing between sectors and more integrated school places. A speech like this barely even touches on these real solutions," he said this week.

"Alliance has always led the way in seeking further integrated school places and increased sharing across our schools system, and I believe this vague plan from the DUP is electioneering with very little detail provided.

"You only have to look at the last four years in the Assembly with the DUP and Sinn Fein battling each other on academic selection, whilst Alliance was trying to build consensus and deliver a real solution."

The politician was commenting after Peter Robinson reiterated his condemnation of the education system as "a benign form of apartheid which was fundamentally damaging to our society".

Speaking at Down High School he said: "It was significant, but perhaps not surprising, that this speech created controversy.

"Some questioned my motivation while others claimed it was as attack on the Maintained education sector," he said.

"However, the DUP former Minister insisted that it was simply an attempt to start a debate and seek to break down divisions and build for a better future.

"It was certainly not intended as an attack on the Maintained [Catholic] Sector. The academic record of many schools in that sector speaks for itself," he said.

"I do not know any measures which would prepare the way for a better feeling in Ireland than uniting children at an early age, and bringing them up in the same school, leading them to commune with one another, and to form those little intimacies and friendships which often subsist through life."

He said that his own modern-day views echoed the sentiments of the 19th Century Roman Catholic Bishop James Doyle, of Kildare and Leighlin who said: "I do not know any measures which would prepare the way for a better feeling in Ireland than uniting children at an early age, and bringing them up in the same school, leading them to commune with one another, and to form those little intimacies and friendships which often subsist through life."

Mr Robinson said that: "I couldn’t have put it better. Though this was a very different era, I believe that the sentiment holds true today," he continued.

"That is why after the election I want to see a commission which represents all interests established to map out a way forward.

"I hope that we will be able to agree terms of reference that will allow everyone to participate in a constructive and positive way and with no predetermined outcome," he said.

Also attacking the DUP, Ulster Unionist Lagan Valley candidate Bail McCrea said: "Peter Robinson's latest intervention in the education debate is most interesting due to the strong rumour circulating that the DUP and Sinn Fein have already done a deal regarding Ministerial portfolios 'post election', with the DUP seeking to take Education whilst letting Sinn Fein take Enterprise, Trade & Investment.

"What is not in doubt is that the public require real clarity on this issue, because there are many people questioning just how many DUP figures actually believe Peter Robinson's disingenuous conversion to mainstream politics.

"For Peter Robinson to advocate some kind of Commission raises questions as to the value he places on the Assembly and in particular the role and function of the Education Committee," he said, but noted that the Ulster Unionist Party is "happy to engage and participate in such dialogue.

"It is absolutely essential that education ceases to be used as a political toy, at the mercy of ideologically driven Ministers. What education needs now is people who can build consensus," he concluded.

See: Robinson 'Impressed By Integrated School'

See: End 'Apartheid' Education, Says Robinson

(BMcC/GK)