- Secretary of State for Northern Ireland MP visited Integrated College
Dungannon on Thursday 4 September.
- Mr Benn heard from students how integrated education helps
build understanding and friendship.
- The Government announced £2 million for Integrated Education
at the 2025 Spending Review.
As a new academic year begins, Secretary of State for Northern
Ireland, MP, visited Integrated College
Dungannon to see first-hand how integrated education in Northern
Ireland is delivering reconciliation and helping to build
stronger communities.
Mr Benn met with pupils and teachers and planted an acorn tree in
celebration of the school's 30th anniversary this week.
Established in 1995 with just 60 pupils and 10 staff, the college
has now grown substantially to 780 pupils and 130 staff.
After a tour of the school, he held an engaging roundtable
discussion with A-Level students about the benefits of integrated
education and its role in fostering unity between people from
different backgrounds.
Speaking after the visit, the Secretary of State
said:
Integrated education is reconciliation in action. Every day,
young people from different backgrounds are learning together,
forming friendships, and building a shared experience that will
help shape Northern Ireland's future.
Our mission is to help every child to achieve and thrive at
school, through excellent teaching and high standards. This £2
million investment demonstrates our commitment to breaking down
barriers to opportunity through practical action, not just
words.
Through this Government's Plan for Change, we want to ensure
children are given the best start in life, and by investing in
integrated education, we are investing in the next generation who
will continue to build upon Northern Ireland's lasting peace.
Maura McKenna, Vice Principal of Integrated College
Dungannon said:
It was fantastic to welcome the Secretary of State to school
today to see the positive impact of integrated education in
action.”
Every day, we see the benefits of young people from different
backgrounds learning together, forming a diverse range of
friendships, and developing an understanding and respect that
will serve them throughout their lives.
The IEF and NICIE jointly said:
This generous funding from the UK Government will help to support
the growth of Integrated Education across Northern Ireland.
Integrated schools intentionally educate children and young
people of all religious, social and cultural backgrounds,
together in the same school, where every day pupils can learn
with, from and about each other.
This support will help deliver high-quality Integrated Education
that prepares young people for success, fostering relationships
essential to Northern Ireland's continued peace and prosperity.
