SIR - Stephen Elliot's observations on integrated education in the Antrim Times (Integration row gathers pace: June 1 2009] raise an important issue - that of choice.
It seems that Mr Elliot is against any choice, except that which he believes, in his opinion, is the best/only option. What parents need is the information on which to base their choice. Our experience, supported by recent academic research, indicate
s that when this information is offered, parents make informed choice, rather than entrenched choice.
Leaving aside both Mr Elliot's comments on the nature of integrated schools, which demonstrates a serious misunderstanding of what they do and his one sided comments about Catholic schools, which is a red herring, integration will remain a significant part of our education landscape, as we develop our shared future. It is important, therefore, that the process is understood.
Of the 60+ integrated schools, just over one third have come about through transformation of existing schools. Many of these were already growing and thriving schools before they balloted to become integrated, so have not chosen this route to stave off falling rolls. Indeed interest in integrated choice is such, that we have turned down over 5,000 pupils in the past seven years, due to insufficient places.
That said, there is no doubt but that some schools have considered integration for motives which have more to do with survival than community cohesion. Such examples, however, are few and should not be permitted to tarnish what is otherwise an important educational option. We do not believe that these are the type of conditions in which schools should consider becoming integrated.
The law governing transformation requires a simple majority of parents to vote - and that majority, however small - can vote to change or not change the status. This is the same rule which drives political choice. Is Mr Elliot saying that because a small majority votes to elect a particular political party, we should declare that vote void? The responsibility to vote carries with it the incumbent responsibility for the consequences of not casting the vote. If parents in Parkhall were as much against the transformation as Mr Elliot indicates, then surely that level of feeling should have been translated into the vote and the result?
If we are to consider the recent review of education carried out by Sir George Bain seriously - wherein he asks us to consider the financial, social and academic benefits of sharing - and if we are to steward the future of our children appropriately, we need to begin to investigate what type of education provision parents want. This can be done effectively through area based planning based on community audits - again a recommendation of the Bain review. I presume Mr Elliot would have no disagreement with this?
We have nothing to fear from informed parental voice - in fact we have everything to gain. Our organisation represents over 30,000 parents. I have yet to determine how many parents Mr Elliot's PACE represents.
Maybe if his parents were made aware of their options, it might be surprising what they choose!
Yours, Michael Wardlow,
Chief Executive Officer,
NI Council for Integrated Education
