A major study has stated the obvious - given continuing anecdotal evidence.

Psychologists from the University of Ulster (pictured) who spoke to more than 1,700 children at Catholic, State and integrated schools, over a nine year period, found that children in 'mixed' environment education had more contact and understanding of one another's religion and culture.

In what is billed as a major educational study it has been definitely shown that sectarianism in Northern Ireland would be 'defused' if children attended integrated schools.

The study - funded by The European Union Special Support Programme - has been published in the British Journal of Education Psychology.

It was led by Maurice Stringer, who is a professor in psychology at the university's Coleraine campus.

He said that the report provided support for educating Protestants and Catholics together as a means of creating cross-community friendships and moderating political attitudes in a divided society.

The report pointed out that just 6% of Northern Ireland's 330,000 children - a total of just under 20,000 - currently attend integrated schools, an increase of around 600 from the previous year.

Professor Stringer said that teachers in mixed schools can find it difficult to build a school ethos or challenge segregated attitudes.

But he added that the results of the study showed that allowing children to mix and become friends in a supportive school environment was enough to produce change.

"We found that if you have structured activities organised by a teacher, they don't have the same impact," said the professor.

Northern Ireland, the report concluded, remains a highly segregated society with between 35%-45% of Protestants and Catholics living in segregated areas, reflected by the fact that 94% attend one-religion schools.

(BMcC/KMcA)