High Court judgement represents a major step forward for integrated education

Alliance Education spokesperson, Trevor Lunn MLA, has welcomed the findings of a judicial review that states that the Department of Education has failed in its statutory duty to encourage and facilitate integrated education when they failed to allow Drumragh Integated College to expand. The Minister had previously stated that the Lisenally shared education campus was the ‘only show in town’. The school also raised concerns about the Department’s duty to encourage and facilitate the integrated education.

Trevor Lunn MLA said: “This judgement represents a major step forward for the Integrated Education movement by confirming the obligation imposed on the Department of Education to facilitate and encourage the development of Integrated schools.

“It will be welcome news for the many thousands of parents who have over the years been frustrated by Departmental inertia in this area.

“Further it confirms that the Ministers statement in February 2013 in respect of the Lisanelly shared campus proposal to the effect that ‘Lisanelly is the only show in town’ and that no other capital development proposals in the area will be considered, is to say the least, questionable. The Department has confirmed it will ‘retake’ the decision to refuse the vital expansion of Drumragh Integrated College.

“This is a red letter day for all involved in the Integrated movement and I sincerely hope that the Minister and his Department will absorb its implications and proceed accordingly.”

ENDS