There are now 65 integrated schools in Northern Ireland, with more than 24,000 pupils.
The movement started in Belfast;the first integrated school, Lagan College, openedwith just 28 children in 1981 -at a timewhen a hunger strike in the Maze prison had brought worldwide attention to the Troubles.
Nobel Peace Prize nomination
NICIE chief executive officerRoisin Marshall said:“The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and the Integrated Education Fund are humbled by the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, one of the most coveted international prizes.
“This nomination is a recognition of the vision, determination and energy of all the founder governors, parents, pupils, staff donors and funders who have been developing integrated education over the last 38 years.”
The existence of integrated education in the Northern Ireland educational landscape hadchallenged all schools to be more thoughtful about the inclusion of people from different backgrounds, faiths and cultures, she added.
She said: “Northern Ireland’s divided society has benefited greatly from the contribution of integrated education whose mission is to educate children from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds together in the one school. We have proven that this can be done and continue to empower parents to strive for an integrated education for their children by voting for their school to become integrated. It is fantastic to be finally recognised on an international level for this ground-breaking work in a divided society.”
The schools involved in integration have been congratulated by Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson - who sent a video message to a recent reception held by the Integrated Education Fund in London.
He said: “I especially want to congratulate the principals, the teachers of these schools and especially the parents, the mums, the dads and children who are making this integrated education something really special and necessary and respecting each other’s traditions and learning together.”
The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is due to be announced on Friday.
Previous winners includeeducation campaigner Malala Yousafzai, as well as Northern Irelandpoliticians John Hume and David Trimble for their efforts to bring peace to the country.
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