Sir, - Declan MacPartlin (September 7th) included the SDLP among the Northern parties which did not support integrated schools. This is not the case. Parental choice has always been and remains central to our education policy. We have frequently highlighted our commitment to equality of treatment for all forms of parental choice and we have supported parents in their fight to achieve both recognition and government funding for integrated schools.
The SDLP maintains regular contact with the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education as we do with other bodies with responsibility for education, voluntary, controlled, maintained and Irish-medium.
It is our view that all of these have a part to play in the future development of a tolerant and pluralist society. - Yours, etc.,
Tommy Gallagher, SDLP Spokesperson for Education, Parliament Buildings, Belfast 4.