![Ex-boxer Frampton fights for integrated schools in Northern Ireland](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/65/08/2c/Ex-boxer-Frampton-fights-for-integr-636466.jpg)
-
'Super proud' Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
In Papua New Guinea, Pope holds mass 'at the edge of the world'
-
Hewett stays positive for wheelchair tennis despite agonising defeat
-
Three things on US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka
-
Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
USA men land Paralympic basketball three-peat, Jiang takes 7th swim gold
-
USA slump to first home defeat against Canada in 67 years
-
Argentina hand Australia record 67-27 loss in Rugby Championship
-
England impress on Carsley bow, Germany, Dutch hit five
-
AFP photographer wins top prize for Gaza coverage
-
No Love for Packers for three weeks after ligament sprain: reports
-
Pedro Almodovar: chronicler of modern Spain crowned in Venice
-
Almodovar wins top Venice prize for end-of-life film
-
Trump sounds dark tone at rally, Harris 'ready' for debate
-
Wirtz and Musiala dazzle to kick-start new Germany era
-
Chinese teenager takes 7th gold of Paris Paralympics
-
England interim boss Carsley 'respects' divided opinions over anthem
-
Neuville moves to the front in the Acropolis Rally
-
Garfield, Pugh charm Toronto in new romance 'We Live in Time'
-
21 boys confirmed dead in Kenya school inferno
-
Over 100,000 protest in France against new prime minister
-
Golden 30 minutes takes China to swimming Paralympics swimming domination
-
Green leads Australia to T20 series sweep of Scotland
-
Nigeria, Cameroon win afer chaotic AFCON build-ups
-
Nicole Kidman: A-lister, cinematic chameleon, wins in Venice
-
'I had to prove myself', says Kolisi after win against All Blacks
-
Almodovar wins top prize at Venice film festival
-
Grealish savours England redemption after 'worst summer'
-
Carsley makes flying start as England interim boss in win over Ireland
-
Springboks close on Rugby Championship with storming win over All Blacks
-
Sri Lanka's De Silva and Kamindu Mendis defy England in third Test
-
Farrell's Racing lose on opening day of Top 14
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer visits Dublin
-
Dunbar takes second Vuelta stage as Roglic closes in on victory
-
Fritz eyes US Open glory to end 21 years of American hurt
-
Thousands protest in France against new prime minister
-
Death toll from Kenya school blaze rises to 21
-
Brazil's right rallies for 'freedom' after X suspended
-
Trump to hold rally in swing state, Harris preps for debate
-
Stone at the double as Sri Lanka collapse against England in third Test
-
French tennis player takes legal action over online abuse
-
Italy backs Kyiv's 'legitimate defence' as Zelensky presses allies
-
The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal
-
Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint, extends MotoGP lead
-
Smoke and screams: The horror of Kenya's school dorm inferno
-
MotoGP leader Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer begins Dublin visit
-
Ma Lin turns brutal encounter with bear into glorious Paralympic career
-
Flintoff appointed England Lions head coach
-
Sri Lanka hit back as Pope falls during England collapse in second Test
![Ex-boxer Frampton fights for integrated schools in Northern Ireland](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/65/08/2c/Ex-boxer-Frampton-fights-for-integr-636466.jpg)
Ex-boxer Frampton fights for integrated schools in Northern Ireland
Carl Frampton enjoyed many memorable moments during his boxing career but the retired two-weight world champion has now switched his focus to campaigning for integrated schools in divided Northern Ireland.
Religious differences between Catholics and Protestants still shape life profoundly in the UK province, 24 years after the landmark Good Friday peace deal.
The vast majority of children still go to segregated schools and live in segregated communities.
Frampton, who hung up his gloves last year, is an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and is determined to use his profile to push for change.
The 35-year-old Protestant says he and his Catholic wife, Christine, are not churchgoers and did not christen their children, Carla, 11, and seven-year-old Rossa in church, preferring a humanist ceremony.
They do not go to an integrated school, in which pupils from both communities mix, but that is because none exists near their home in Lisburn.
"One of the issues is there are not enough options," Frampton told AFP. "It is a prime school for becoming officially integrated due to the demographics of the area.
"There are a lot of children from mixed marriages and some Catholics. I am going to push on with it next year and hope they will accept.
"If I was involved with the primary school becoming integrated it would be a hugely proud moment for me."
A survey of around 2,000 people carried out last year by LucidTalk for the Integrated Education Fund found that 71 percent believed integrated education should be the norm -- a rise of five percentage points since 2013.
There are currently 68 formally integrated schools and colleges in Northern Ireland, which represent 7.5 percent of its educational settings, teaching about 25,000 children.
"The numbers do not add up as there is a desire for it," Frampton said. "I think one of our biggest issues is we do not have a government at the minute."
Northern Ireland is currently engulfed in a protracted political crisis following elections in May that swept nationalists to victory for the first time in the province's history.
"The two main parties -- the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) believes integrated schooling dilutes Britishness and Sinn Fein that it dilutes Irishness," said Frampton.
"That is simply not the case. It is about kids growing up alongside each other. I do not see the argument against having more integrated schools."
- 'Access' -
Frampton, who quit boxing after defeat to Jamel Herring in April last year, is encouraged by the story of his own school
"My old school, Glen High, is officially integrated in a loyalist (Protestant) area," he said. "If you had told me this would be integrated I would have laughed at you.
"It is great to see times are changing and although I had nothing to do with this I am very proud of my former school."
Frampton was speaking in Commonwealth Games host city Birmingham recently on the power of athletes to be agents for change.
The former boxer is aware of the weight his name carries.
"It does give you a little more access than an ordinary guy walking in off the street," he said. "With a high profile I always feel like you should use it in a positive way.
"A teenager listens I think to a sports person, actor or successful businessman."
H.Seidel--BTB