This five-year strategy, seeking to expand integrated education, comes despite Education Minister Paul Givan recently rejecting bids from two North Down schools to transition.

Dr. Matthew O’Neil, head of Integrated AlumNI, stated that the department had “achieved so little in moving integrated education forward”, and questioned whether the strategy could fully be implemented if political decisions override parental choice.

“We have recently seen the biggest school in Northern Ireland blocked from becoming an Integrated school, despite overwhelming parental demand”, he noted. “More young people should have access to these benefits that integrated education provides, and above all, parental choice must be respected and supported.”

Currently, Northern Ireland has 71 integrated schools, educating around 27,000 pupils, but only 8 percent of schoolchildren attend these despite the first Lagan College opening over 40 years ago. Research suggests a shortage of places at integrated post-primary schools in several areas.

The DE will survey parents in April 2025 to gauge interest in integrated education, but argues that contact between Catholic and Protestant pupils could reduce prejudice and build trust.

According to the department, about a third of pupils in integrated schools are Protestant, a third are Catholic, and another third are from a non-Christian or non-religious background.

“Integrated education has much to offer the school system and society as a whole”, the Vision 2030 strategy said. “We live in a society emerging from conflict and building a strong and shared community is key objective for government.”

Following a 2022 law passed by Stormont, the DE has legal obligation to give more support to integrated education, resulting from a bill brought by the Alliance