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This was just one of the many thought provoking questions which was discussed at a Question Time session held at the NICIE (Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education) Spring Conference held this week in the Dunadry Hotel, Templepatrick. 

 

The topic for discussion was ‘The Role of Education in Building a Shared Society.’ The Question Time panel was made up of Professor Tony Gallagher, QUB, Dawn Purvis, MLA, PUP, Naomi Long, Lord Mayor of Belfast, MLA, Alliance Party, Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission. Over the space of an hour and a half, a range of issues from parental rights to the education of their choice, to the inequalities of our education system and the impact of this on building a shared future, were debated.

 

The wide ranging audience was comprised of Principals (both serving and retired), Governors from integrated schools, Directors of NICIE and Trustees of IEF (Integrated Education Fund), alongside representatives from the Department of Education and other education sectors, including the Catholic and Irish Medium sectors and teacher unions all of whom engaged in a lively debate with the panel members.

 

Question Time was only one of the many interesting sessions held at a stimulating and busy conference. Delegates had opportunities to analyse how best practice might be effectively shared across integrated schools in order to further enhance the distinctive qualities of Integrated Education and the benefits to young people of being taught in a shared environment where difference is openly discussed and valued.  

 

The students themselves were involved in the proceedings over two days with choirs from Parkhall Integrated College and Glengormley Integrated Primary School providing a lively start to the morning sessions. Other involvement from schools included a presentation on Peer Mediation from Round Tower Integrated Primary School and a Rights Respecting Schools presentation and discussion from Dr Anne Murray, Principal of Oakgrove IPS. The evening was rounded off with a passionate rendition of a reflective drama performed by pupils from Malone Integrated College.