BELFAST: Education Minister Paul Givan has raised concerns that many schools which transition to integrated status in Northern Ireland are failing to achieve a genuine religious balance among pupils.
In a written statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Thursday, Givan set out the proportions of Protestant and Catholic pupils he would expect in any school he approves to transform into integrated status. He noted that, despite efforts to promote inclusivity, the transformation process has shown “limited success in achieving balanced religious demographics.”
Integrated education, which is designed to bring together children from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds, has been a longstanding policy goal in Northern Ireland. However, critics argue that some schools labelled as “integrated” remain largely dominated by one community, undermining the concept’s original intention.
In January, Givan rejected applications from Bangor Academy and Rathmore Primary School to convert to integrated status, citing concerns that their proposed transformation would not deliver the intended balance. His latest statement signals a more cautious approach by the Department of Education toward approving similar applications in the future.
Advocates of integrated education insist the policy remains vital for building long-term peace and reconciliation, arguing that exposing children to mixed environments helps break down barriers. However, the minister’s remarks highlight the ongoing challenge of ensuring that integration reflects genuine cross-community representation rather than symbolic change.
