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TACOT:IE - Revised Terms of Reference

Appendix C - Revised terms of reference

The Belfast Agreement states that "an essential aspect of the reconciliation process is the promotion of a culture of tolerance at every level of society, including initiatives to facilitate and encourage integrated education and mixed housing". There are different ways that schools can contribute further to the promotion of a culture of tolerance:

  • formal integration;
  • mixed intakes;
  • through the curriculum, especially the delivery of cross-curricular themes, including Education for Mutual Understanding and Cultural Heritage; and
  • direct contacts between schools and among groups of schools.

All aspects need to be reviewed, but this stage concentrates on integrated schools and integration within schools through mixed intakes. The purpose of this Working Group is therefore to examine the present levels of integration within schools and to consider ways of encouraging and promoting further development while taking account of the wishes of parents to send their children to the education system they prefer. In particular, the Group will -

  • assess whether there is potential for increased mixed attendance of Protestants and Catholics at existing controlled and Catholic maintained schools and how such potential might be realised;
  • consider issues relating to the continuing development of integration within schools;
  • review the role of NICIE, IEF, the ELBs and other school interests in assisting and promoting the development of integration within schools;
  • assess the scope for expansion of the integrated sector through the transformation of existing schools and consider further ways of facilitating this option where parents and schools are minded to pursue it;
  • review the arrangements for capital funding of new integrated schools and consider possible alternatives for financing their capital development; this will involve the potential of PFI based on the experience of existing pathfinder projects;
  • examine the arrangements for the development of "grammar streams" in integrated schools;
  • review the implications of the policy on post-16 provision on the integrated sector,
  • assess the long-term potential for the integrated schools sector in the Province;
  • consider, on the basis of these assessments, whether potential areas for development of integration within schools can be prioritised.

OTHER CHAPTERS

Introduction
General Principles
A strategic approach to the promotion of a culture of tolerance
Pluralism/mixed schools
Formal Integrated Schools

APPENDICES

Working group on integrated education - membership
Initial terms of reference
Revised terms of reference