The majority of historical literature published in connection with Northern Ireland is concerned with the Troubles. This has a role in shaping our understanding of our past and our views on our history. The centenary provides an opportunity to talk positively about our country and our achievements over the past 100 years. Northern Ireland’s educational system provides much to be proud of. As part of our centenary celebrations, we must mark our achievements in the field of education and look forward to what we wish the education system in Northern Ireland to look like over the next 100 years.
Looking back to 1947, the people of Northern Ireland were granted free secondary education thanks to the influence of the British government’s Butler Act. The total number of pupils in secondary education doubled in under 10 years. This opened the door to those who were less well-off to attend university that would have otherwise never had been the opportunity to achieve third level education. For such a small country, Northern Ireland has two leading universities with Queens University Belfast ranking 209 in the world. The two universities have also produced Nobel Prize winners, famous scientists, and government ministers.
Recently primary school pupils in Northern Ireland scored better in international numeracy and literacy rankings than in any other English-speaking country. This along with the fact that pupils in Northern Ireland taking A-levels accumulate higher grades than their counterparts in England and Wales show that we have a world class education system to be proud of.
In 1923 the Ulster Unionist government had prepared to establish a non-sectarian and democratically accountable education system where children from both communities would be taught together with no religion practiced in the hours of attendance. Unfortunately, this did not materialise and education in Northern Ireland is still heavily segregated causing children to live parallel lives. The segregated system still remains in Northern Ireland. This has played a role in reinforcing and amplifying sectarian divisions and has a lasting impact on children and adolescent’s life-long attitudes. While the peace process has led some parents to place educational prospects above a school’s religious breakdown, this accidental integration is not enough to increase children’s understanding of diversity and improve community relations.
Integrated education has grown slowly in Northern Ireland since the first integrated school opened in 1981 however, they remain popular with parents and students. The 62 integrated schools in Northern Ireland are over-subscribed and since 2017 another six schools across NI have voted to integrate via parental ballot. With demand for integrated schools increasing, it is clear that people’s attitudes have changed in the last 100 years.
The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to delivering a single education sector for Northern Ireland. At present we operate 5 separate education sectors and with resulting waste of resources through duplication. A single education sector will provide further opportunities to deliver shared educational experiences and shared facilities.
Segregation is not merely an issue amongst students but amongst teachers and consequently we must break down barriers in educational training.
Northern Ireland would be better served by a single system of educational training producing teachers for appointment across educational sectors.
Our education system also provides us with an opportunity to address the legacy of the past. As a result of the Troubles Northern Ireland has disproportionately high levels of poor mental health. The failure to properly support those suffering from poor mental health has resulted in this becoming an inter-generational issue. Our education sector must be properly equipped and resourced to deliver targeted intervention at an early stage to support students with poor mental health. Early intervention will support students to get the most out of their educational opportunities and improve their life chances.
Looking forward to the next 100 years, it is hopeful that current and future generations will experience a shared education system. This will allow children of all faiths and none to be educated together, changing the way our communities interact with each other and uniting them. Until then, our schools must encourage young people to contribute to a better and shared society. The curriculum of the future will also equip students with skills for future markets and will not just focus on children and adolescents who flourish academically. Schools will not just focus on helping pupils get into tertiary education but will make students aware of skill learning which will improve their employment opportunities.
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