68% Want An End To 'Segregated Education'

More than two thirds of people feel NI's politicians need to prioritise on ending segregation in schools.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, the survey – which was carried out by LucidTalk – found that 68% of people believe the issue of segregated education should be a priority for the Executive, while a further 57% said politicians should set a target date for its complete desegregation.

Currently, only 7% of children attend integrated schools in NI, with the vast majority educated in the State or Catholic schools sectors.

The latest poll follows a speech made by US President Barack Obama at the Waterfront Hall which supported integrated education. Despite this, the results have been dismissed by Bishop Donal McKeown, Head of the Commission on Catholic Education, who suggested the polls questions were "loaded".

Other findings of the survey revealed that 63% felt the education system perpetuates division within NI society, with 77% thinking the region's international image would improve by having one unified education system.

Of those polled, 29% strongly agreed that addressing segregated education should be a priority, with a further 39% agreeing. There was strong support for the cause among younger people, with a larger proportion of those aged under 45 in agreement compared to other age groups.

Only 14% disagreed, with the other 18% of respondents expressing no opinion.

The LucidTalk poll was conducted on behalf of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), and sampled the views of more than 1,214 people across Northern Ireland.

(JP/CD)