Currently the Department of Education or the Education Authority do not promote one education sector over another. I am very aware of the concerns raised by the Controlled Schools Support Council and the Council for Catholic Maintained schools that schools outside the Integrated sector, and consequently the pupils attending those schools would be placed at a disadvantage by the Alliance Party’s Integrated Education Bill.
This proposed legislation requires much more consultation within the education sector and across the community and it ought to be subject to far greater scrutiny. Rushing this private members bill through without that consultation and scrutiny and in circumstance which fail to adequately meet our Section 75 obligations on equality is simply unacceptable.
We want to see children educated together, but this Bill doesn't advance that cause or break down barriers in our society. Nor does it deliver any benefit to 93% of our school pupils. We are listening to concerns and we will table a Petition of Concern to protect these schools and the pupils who attend them.
The DUP cannot trigger the Petition of Concern alone however so it will require others to come on board before it would take effect. MLAs from all sides of the chamber will have heard the voice of parents, teachers and pupils loudly over recent weeks. The challenge is now whether they are prepared to not just listen to those voices, but to take action. It will only take one additional MLA to mean the Petition of Concern is activated.
Signing this Petition of Concern is not a narrow sectional interest, but is taking a stand for those across our society who recognise and value our schools here. Those schools, across different sectors are educating children from all faith backgrounds and none.
The DUP has opposed this Bill from the outset and we are giving practical effect to that opposition. The decision now lies in the hands of other MLAs whether they will act also."
