not neutral - in many of them it is British." He also said "You can pay homage to the Crown but to no-one else". He said that he supported the principle of the bill but urged the integrated sector to "get its head around" how it promotes "all identities". He also said "The reason why we have such a separated education system dating back to the 1920s - and I am no defender of the Catholic hierarchy - is because the Catholic Church took a very strong view of this," he told committee members. That to keep Irish identity, Irish culture alive in a partitioned state, it would have to have its own education system." Kellie Armstrong replied that she had never seen that in any integrated school she had visited. She said "In the integrated schools that I go into, I see a culture that is reflective of everyone who attends there and is respectful of all cultures." Regarding promoting the Irish language and Gaelic games she said "I'm somewhat at a loss given the fact that Lagan College and Drumragh Integrated College have both been former winners of the JJ Reilly Cup. Kellie Armstrong says all cultures are respected through integrated education. My own daughter played hurling for her integrated college." She also said "Irish culture is not eroded, neither is British culture. Integrated education isn't about assimilating young people into one culture - it's about celebrating all cultures." Shared education initiatives In 2011, Department of Education launched a new Community Relations, Equality and Diversity in Education policy. The objectives of the policy are to: ensure that learners have an understanding of and respect for the rights, equality and diversity of all without discrimination; educate children and young people to live and participate in the changing world with respect while taking account of the ongoing intercommunity divisions arising from conflict and increasing diversity within our society; equip children and young people with the skills, attitudes and behaviours needed See also List of integrated schools in Northern Ireland Education in Northern Ireland Segregation in Northern Ireland Educate Together References External links Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education Integrated Education Fund Conflict Archive on the Internet - Education in Northern Ireland Education in Northern Ireland