Almost a quarter of NI parents prefer non-integrated schools

More than 9,700 parents responded to the survey issued by the Education Authority

Almost a quarter of parents would prefer their child was not educated in an integrated school, according to a survey by Northern Ireland's Education Department.

The 24% figure compares to 31.2% who would prefer their child to be at an integrated school and 37.3% who said they did not mind.

The remainder of the 9,700 respondents said they did not know or would prefer not to say, according to research by Stormont's Department of Education.

The survey was conducted to help gather information on attitudes to integrated education.

Education Minister Paul Givan recently turned down bids by two Bangor schools to become integrated

The survey was issued by the Education Authority (EA) to parents and guardians whose children were going through the school admission process.

Almost half (46%) of those parents who responded were making preferences for post-primary schools.

In one question, parents were asked what was the "most important" factor in the selection of their first-preference school.

Of those who had an integrated school as their first preference, 32.5% said that "quality of education" was the most important factor.

This was followed by "proximity to home" (14.6%) and wanting an integrated education (12.9%).

For those whose first preference was a non-integrated school, 39.6% said "quality of education", 15.8% said "proximity to home" and 14.1% said "family or friends at school".

The vast majority, 85.3%, of those who selected an integrated school as their first preference said it was "important" or "very important" that their child attends an integrated school.

Those who selected a non-integrated school were also asked if they would want their choice to transform to become an integrated school.

In response, 37.5% said they "don't mind", while 37% responded "no" and 16.9% said "yes". The remainder said they did not know or would prefer not to say.

The survey follows the Integrated Education Act which was passed in 2022 by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

It requires the Department of Education to facilitate and support integrated education as well as measure demand.

The legislation was the result of a private member's bill brought by the Alliance Party assembly member Kellie Armstrong.