Despite the spirit of the Armagh church service, Northern Ireland schools are segregated

We heard the children at Armagh Cathedral saying “We all breathe the same air; we all walk under the same tree”.

Unfortunately 23 years after the Good Friday Agreement, most of our children still attend segregated schools. Many live in segregated areas, never meeting those from different backgrounds, In poll after poll a majority of parents state that they are in favour of integrated education, the integrated schools are consistently over-subscribed and parents vote for their schools to be transformed to integrated status.

Rather than co-operating together to speed through legislation and action on urgent matters, the politicians of the two extreme parties threaten to bring down the institutions. It is time for people to demand proper government to bring about genuine co-operation and reconciliation.

Margaret Marshall, Belfast BT8

• Other reactions to Armagh service below, and beneath that information on how to subscribe to the News Letter

• Ben Lowry Oct 23:Centenary church service should have celebrated Northern Ireland

• David Campbell Oct 29: We need to make plans for a proper celebration of NI at 100

• Billy Kennedy: Queen’s absence left a huge void at centenary service

• Letter: The unionist approach to Northern Ireland’s centenary has been pathetic

• Letter: I’m sorry the Queen is unwell but do not regret the fact she missed the Armagh service

• Henry McDonald: Absence of Queen at centenary service was spun beyond credulity

• John Cushnahan: To those who distorted nature of centenary service — Shame on you!

• Doug Beattie: Sinn Fein incredibly small-minded over NI centenary event

• ‘Sinn Fein determined to start culture war with unionism’: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

• Editorial Oct 22: Armagh centenary service was not a celebration of Northern Ireland

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