Integration plan

MLAs have been presented with a radical plan to reform Northern Ireland’s education system produced by the Integrated Education Fund. Caleb Doherty and Charley Stokes, from Drumlins Integrated Primary School in Ballynahinch, delivered the Alternative Manifesto for Education to Steven Agnew (Green Party), Trevor Lunn (Alliance), Mervyn Storey (DUP) and Sean Rogers (SDLP).

The manifesto’s proposals include unified teacher training, extending fair employment legislation to teacher recruitment, and the introduction of a single model of school governance.

“Northern Ireland currently supports an effectively segregated education system, which is morally, socially and economically wrong,” IEF trustee David Thompson comments.

“This manifesto is about a holistic approach which would direct resources to improving outcomes and will contribute to a future cohesive community.”