Towards a culture of tolerance: Integrating Education - Introduction

Introduction

1. The Group membership and original terms of reference are set out in Appendix A and Appendix B. The Group first met on 11 June and has met on a total of 8 occasions.

2. While the membership (Appendix A) is drawn from all the main education partners, it should be emphasised, however, that members are not representatives for these partners and the progress report should not be interpreted as representing the views of their various constituent bodies. Any proposals emerging from the group discussions therefore require formal consultation before they could be put in place.

3. The original terms of reference (Appendix B) were considered to be too narrowly focused on the formal integrated sector and it was felt that there should be a greater emphasis on outcomes and process rather than structures ie integrating education rather than integrated education. The contribution of schools to the promotion of tolerance referred to in the Belfast Agreement was felt to be paramount. It was considered that the original terms of reference failed to recognise the important contribution which schools other than formal integrated schools could make to this aspiration.

4. 'The terms of reference were redrawn (Appendix C) to reflect the contribution which all schools could and should make through enhanced curricular provision (EMU and Cultural Heritage), cross-community contact between schools and mixed attendance at schools other than formal integrated schools. A review of the community relations policy in education has recently been carried out and it was agreed that a separate Working Group should be established to look at how the existing arrangements could be improved and developed into a more coherent strategy for a pluralist society. It was also noted that the extent to which schools were addressing the objectives of the EMU and Cultural Heritage Cross Curricular Themes would be examined by the Inspectorate. The plan is to look at the primary sector this year and the secondary sector in the following year. This would coincide with the CCEA review of the total Northern Ireland Curriculum.

OTHER CHAPTERS

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