Sir, – Martin Mansergh's article (November 24th) on education in the Republic and Northern Ireland was both informative and challenging.
However, he failed to mention two significant recent developments in Northern Ireland. Opinion polls have shown a clear majority (79 per cent) in favour of integrated education, yet in a bizarre twist our education minister has chosen to promote a new initiative, “Shared Education”, rather than extend the provision of integrated schools.
Shared education means that two separate schools will operate on the same site. No doubt this will perpetuate the perception of “them and us” among the pupils and in the not-too distant future, I fear we may have to build “Peace walls” in those playgrounds.
In Northern Ireland our politicians claim to be moving forward and I would have hoped that a self-proclaimed “progressive” party such as Sinn Féin might have promoted integration rather than reinforcing separation and division.
– Yours, etc,
DAVID GRIFFIN
Banbridge,
Co Down.