'More integrated provision needed'

The subject arose at last week’s council meeting as members lamented the situation regarding local education in general.

Councillor Dessie Ward said Banbridge was a very integrated area, with a lot of mixed marriages.

That being so, he said, year after year he was hearing from people complaining that they could not get their children into local integrated schools.

There was obviously a need that was not being met by current provision, he said.

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Mr. Ward suggested the council write to Education Minister Caitriona Ruane on the matter.

Councillor John Hanna agreed something had to be done in terms of creating extra integrated education places.

“I know they have to create a balance,” he said, “but sometimes I think in the process some genuine cases lose out.”

Declaring himself a “great supporter” of integrated education, Mr. Hanna insited, however, that there should be nothing to stop anyone from attending state controlled schools.

Such schools were, or ought to be, themselves integrated, he said.