The survey, which received over 9,700 responses, was aimed at gauging public attitudes toward integrated education, compared to 31.2% who were in favour. A further 37.3% said they had no strong preference, while the remaining respondents either did not know or preferred not to answer.

The data was collected by the Education Authority and targeted parents and guardians involved in the school admissions process. Almost half of those surveyed were selected post-primary schools for their children.

When asked about the most important factor in choosing a school, respondents on both sides of the debate cited “quality of education” as the top concern. Among those who selected an integrated school as their first preference, 32.5% cited education quality, followed by proximity to home (14.6%) and a desire for an integrated education (12.9%). For those choosing a non-integrated school, 39.6% prioritised quality, with proximity (15.8%) and existing family or friendship ties (14.1%) also ranking highly.

The majority of parents who chose an integrated school said it was “important” that their child attended such a school. However, among those opting for a non-integrated school, just 16.9% said they would like their school to convert to integrated status. Over 37% said they would not support such a change, while another 37.5% said they would not mind.

The survey follows the 2022 passage of the Integrated Education Act, which legally requires the Department of Education to support and monitor integrated schooling as part of Northern Ireland’s evolving education landscape.