THE ‘LONG MARCH’: INTEGRATED EDUCATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND

At key moments in the history of our education system — the formation of the National School system in 1831 or the 1923 reforms from the first Northern Ireland government — there has been an official preference, but an unfulfilled ambition, for integrated education. The first planned integrated school only opened in 1981. Legislation in 1989 sought to accelerate the growth of integrated schools. Support was provided in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. But limited progress prompted further legislation by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022. The talk will examine the changing patterns in our schools over time and consider possible future directions.

Speaker biography

Tony Gallagher is a Professor Emeritus and Honorary Professor of Education at Queen’s University Belfast, and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Science. Prior to his retirement from Queen’s he held a number of leadership roles including Head of School and Pro-Vice-Chancellor. His main research interests lie in the role of education in divided societies, and the civic and democratic role of higher education. He has researched collaborative school networks and shared education in Northern Ireland and other divided societies, and is a member of the Steering Group of the International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility and Democracy. He has also contributed to working groups of the Council of Europe over many years.

Photograph: Tony Gallagher, Professor Emeritus and Honorary Professor of Education at Queen’s University Belfast