NI Assembly Education Committee

The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) met with the NI Assembly Education Committee last week and highlighted the diverse nature of controlled schools and that we are open to all faiths and none.

CSSC logo

The Committee requested evidence from a number of organisations on the detail of the Integrated Education Bill, which is currently passing through committee stage.

CSSC is fully committed to educating children and young people from all community backgrounds together and that is the fundamental premise of the controlled sector.  However the organisation has specific concerns with the bill. The intentions of the bill are sound – promoting our children and young people working together.  The problem is that it has wide-ranging implications.

The bill also comes at a point when the education system in Northern Ireland is undergoing an extensive independent review, which CSSC welcomes, therefore it is wholly inappropriate at this time to propose substantial changes to one aspect of the education system at the expense of all others. If we are going to truly transform our education system then we must work together with a clear focus on equality in raising standards and improving the quality of education for all.

CSSC value and support all controlled schools and stipulate the need to ensure equal and fair consideration is given to the needs of the 146,138 children and young people across the sector.

 

18 November 2021