Vol. 441 No. 5
83 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education whether there has been any research using control groups to assess the progress of children who go through integrated schooling compared to those who attend special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am not aware of any research of the kind referred to by the Deputy having been carried out in this country. My understanding is that the outcome of research that has been carried out in other countries as to the relative merits of integrated and segregated education has failed to establish a clear-cut advantage in favour of either integration or segregation.
The report of the special education Review Committee indicated that the committee held no entrenched doctrinaire position regarding the integration into the ordinary school system of pupils with disabilities and-or special needs. Its philosophy could best be summed up by saying that it favoured as much integration as is appropriate and feasible with as little segregation as is necessary. It therefore envisages a system in which there will be a place for both ordinary and special schools.
