Sir, – Diarmaid Ferriter’s article (“Much of discord in Northern Ireland rooted in failure to integrate schools”, Opinion & Analysis, November 4th) reminded readers of the courageous and farsighted efforts of Lord Londonderry to establish a non-denominational system of education in the early years of the Stormont government. His plans were of course frustrated by the politicians and church leaders of the day.
Indeed until the establishment of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (1987), all efforts to promote nondenominational education were shortlived. Church leaders, politicians and indeed the leaders of the teaching profession have largely chosen to ignore or obstruct the growth of integrated education, despite its popularity with the bulk of the population (73 per cent in favour in opinion polls).
Typical of the obfuscation and failure of our politicians to address this vital issue directly and effectively is the legislation in the Shared Education Act 2016.
Very simply, the various Shared Education strategies have little or no impact in bringing the children from our divided society together.
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Artificial, cosmetic and costly, they allow opponents of a truly meaningful integrated system to congratulate themselves on their own forward thinking while in effect, the advance of integrated education continues at a snail’s pace. After 30 years, a mere 7 per cent of our children attend integrated schools. Surely we do not have to wait for a “united Ireland” to promote the obvious with real vigour. – Yours, etc,
DAVID GRIFFIN,
Banbridge,
Co Down.