Drumragh students explore integrated education

AS part of the celebrations to mark 40 years of integrated education across the North, Year 8 students from Drumragh Integrated College in Omagh were asked to explore what integration meant to them and to present their ideas as a creative art project encapsulating the ethos and values of integration.

Caoimhe Campbell said, “Our differences are what makes us special. Integration unites us and makes us stronger.”

Aaron McCann noted, “”Bridges connect people and places. Integrated education bridges the divide amongst people.

“Integration helps build and repair bridges between us creating a better place to live for everyone.”

PJ Bradley said, “In the dictionary, integration is defined as ‘to bring people together’. I believe this is the norm.”

While Kelly-Rose Daly observed, “Integration means bringing us all together, no matter what our religious background is or what beliefs we hold, working together for the better. We are like individual jigsaw pieces on a puzzle board, but once built, we create a beautiful picture.”

Hannah Hunter said, “Integration means equality and acceptance, treating everyone with the same level of respect and showing kindness regardless of their gender, religion, race, interests, or skills.”

The creative art project was just one of a number of ways that the pupils at Drumragh celebrated 40 years of integrated education in Northern Ireland. First established in 1995, Drumragh Integrated College continues to grow with a student population of 691.

Principal, Mrs Imelda Kirk, said, “Integrated education’s purpose is to build fundamental bridges between people of different religious backgrounds and none, whilst simultaneously, making a positive contribution to building peace and reconciliation across Northern Ireland.”