A Protestant father who objected to his daughter having to learn Irish at Strangford Integrated College lost an application for judicial review yesterday.
In the High Court in Belfast, Mr Justice Kerr held that the board of governors had fulfilled its statutory duty to provide a broad and balanced curriculum.
He said the teaching of an elementary course in Gaelic studies, which included a rudimentary course in the Irish language, could not be said to have promoted to a position of dominance one particular viewpoint.
"On the contrary, it can only reasonably be regarded as having advanced the cause of cultural diversity and mutual understanding," said the judge.
The father's case claimed the teaching of Irish was only possible if it was balanced by the teaching of subjects "which reflect the complexity and diversity in Ulster society".