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A Big Thumbs Down!

Any reasons why?

Integrated education will dilute our culture and its importance.  There will be no or little emphasis on our sports, language, dance, music etc, as there would be in an all catholic school.  Kids will be growing up playing hockey or badminton instead of GAA, and learning German instead of Irish.  A big NO for me!

What a shame it would be if children actually learned a subject such as German that may actually benefit them in the real world instead of getting an A star in Irish. If their not feeling "Irish" enough after going to mass on a Sunday, making Holy Communion, playing Gaelic games and doing a bit of Irish dancing once a week they could always "choose" to learn the language or how to play some trad in their spare time. How many would actually so it though?

Having attended an integrated primary during my formative years I can say that it was some respects as good as if not better than a lot of the small rural primary schools that exist within our part of the world. I think it was enriching to have some experience early on of different religions not just the obvious two still being able to do holy communion, confirmation etc. However in saying that when it came to making the step into secondary the standard of education to be gained at the catholic grammar was far superior. It was interesting to see the Protestant folk go off to a Royal School while the catholics went to the local catholic grammar having been together for many years. The secondary education system based on religion is steeped in history and is of a good standard which is certainly something to be proud of. What doesn't make sense is these tiny rural schools struggling to have enough pupils and a small protestant school up the road with the same problem. Surely putting them in together at an early age is better for many reasons including financially.