More Schools Than Ever Participating In Shared Education Says EA.xa0xa0
Schools across Northern Ireland will be taking part in a series of events to mark the first ever Shared Education week.
Today the number of schools involved in sharing continues to grow with over 60,000 pupils from 600 schools currently taking part in a range of different projects.
Shared Education week runs from 8 to 12 Octoberxa0and offers a series of events to celebrate shared education and share best practice.
Speakingxa0ahead of the launchxa0today, Derek Baker, Permanent Secretary for the Department of Education said: “The benefits of children from different backgrounds beingxa0educated together cannot be overstated.
“That is why I am delighted with the recent figures that show an 86% rise over the last two years in the number of schools involved in shared education.
“I have had the pleasure of seeing some Shared Education work at first hand and have heard of the many successes as well as the challenges faced.xa0xa0What is striking are the personal relationships built between teachers from different sectors, something which feedback indicates has not gone unnoticed by pupils.
“It is the personal relationships that provide a role model for pupils and help to create an environment for sharing.”
Thexa0Department ofxa0Educationxa0has a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of both integrated and Shared Education.xa0xa0Both have key roles in contributing toxa0a more tolerant and shared society here.
Mr Baker added: “Over the next couple of days, my Department is hosting conferences in Cookstown and Belfast in celebration of the success of shared education and to provide practical insight into delivery of high-quality shared education through a series of workshops.
“It is great that so many partnerships are willing to share their experiencesxa0in an effort to help others. xa0Itxa0is this spirit of sharing and collaboration that has enabled Shared Education to advance and Ixa0commend all involved and look forward to the events this week.”
