Talking Integration: Belfast Parents’ Views on Education

Explore Belfast parents’ views on Integrated Education and related issues, hear from key stakeholders and discuss how the demand for Integrated Education can be met.

The Integrated Education Fund supports parents and school communities who would like to see a growth in Integrated schools and regularly commission polls to gauge parents’ views on Integrated Education and related educational issues, at a local level as well as regionally. As part of this work, independent polling company Lucid Talk has completed area polls in the four corners of Belfast in the past year.

This event, organised by the Integrated Education Fund in partnership with the Integrated AlumNI, will provide an overview of the results of the LucidTalk area polls completed in East, West, North and South Belfast, hear from a range of stakeholders and encourage conversation on how we can make sure that parent and community voices are heard and the demand for Integrated Education is met at a local level.

Despite strong evidence of widespread support for Integrated Education in Northern Ireland and the benefits it can bring for students, communities, and societal reconciliation, only 8% of pupils are currently accessing an Integrated Education. To date, Integrated Education has not been planned by government but led by schools and parents, supported by charitable organisations. In other words, while there has been notable grassroots momentum, there continues to be a significant gap in governmental support for the parents, schools and communities who would like to see increased Integrated provision in their areas.

Part of Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics>>