Sir, - As is the normal pattern, most of those arguing against integrated education in Northern Ireland in response to Mary Holland's column of June 27th are at pains to rebut arguments which no supporter of integrated education would make.
For example, Tom Cooper (July 5th) argues against enforced integration against parental wishes and in favour of tolerance of differences. The integrated schools in fact cherish and respect diversity. The integrated movement has never argued for enforced integration against parental wishes. Indeed, we believe that unless an integrated school has the wholehearted support of parents it cannot succeed.
Neither do we believe that a segregated system is the sole cause of our sectarian strife. What we do argue is that such a system makes it much more difficult to heal the divisions.
A number of ministers in Northern Ireland, such as Brian Mawhinney, Dr Mo Mowlam and the present education minister, Martin McGuinness, have been supportive of integrated education but the growth from one school with 28 pupils 21 years ago to 46 schools with about 15,000 pupils today is due largely to the commitment and sacrifice of parents.
The Government does not start integrated schools and neither does it support them until they have established their viability. The responsibility of the Integrated Education Fund is to bridge the gap between parental aspiration and governmental support. Our development plan has a target of doubling the number of places in integrated schools in the next six years. A major gift fundraising campaign has been launched. To achieve the target we will need to draw on the support of the wider community.
We do not believe that integrated education is the sole solution to the community divisions in Northern Ireland, but we do believe that it has a major part to play. - Yours, etc.,
Sir BOB COOPER, Chairperson, Integrated Education Fund, Belfast 7.