Some 40% of secondary school teachers believe there are signs of increasing segregation in schools and that the integration of minority pupils is failing, according to research by educational grant agency Duo.

The research involved some 2,200 head teachers and teachers who responded to an email inquiry inviting them to take part.

In the survey, almost 40% of the secondary school respondents said they could see evidence for claims that segregation is increasing and integration has failed in their own schools. In primary schools, the figure was 27%.

Schools were most likely to blame the difference between western and non-western values for the increase in segregation, followed by a lack of willingness to integrate, differences in social status and religious values.

Many teachers also said the parents of ethnic minority children did not speak good Dutch and stuck together. It is up to these parents to make sure their children integrate properly, 58% of secondary school teachers said.

The survey also found schools and politician had an important role in integration processes. Nevertheless, some 11% of teachers said they now avoid difficult subjects such as terrorism, homosexuality and discrimination during lessons.