Menu
02/03/2010
Post Primary Education In Focus
The education of children leaving primary schools in NI was again in the spotlight yesterday.
As the grammar school groups which ran independent entrance exams for transferring primary school pupiles last year agreed to discuss the possibility of introducing a single test, there has been a low key 'welcome' to the Catholic Commission's plans to reform post-primary education.
It emerged last night that separate papers run by the Association for Quality Education (AQE) and the Post Primary Consortium meant some children had to sit more than one exam depending on their choice of school.
A meeting was held on Monday night at Methodist College in Belfast with representatives from almost all grammar schools to discuss the issue.
Former NI Civil Service boss, Sir Kenneth Bloomfield from the AQE said a decision needs to be made and quickly.
"A single system would be better for everybody.
Meanwhile, the Catholic sector has firmly ruled out any form of post-primary selection - despite there being a groundswell of opinion in a leading Catholic school to continue with some form of testing as was the case (unofficially) last year.
SDLP Education spokesperson Dominic Bradley MLA gave a guarded welcome to the Catholic Commission's plans to reform post-primary education.
Commenting on yesterday's proposals, he said: "The SDLP wants to see a situation in which post-primary schools become all-ability schools but we must have a structured transition from selection to an all-ability system.
"We want to see the end of unregulated tests and we believe that the short-term use of a CCEA test would help to achieve an orderly and structured transition.
"In the end of the day we need public policy to apply to all sections and to all schools and we need to agree a system which achieves this goal," he said.
"Details have yet to be revealed of the Commission's proposals as they apply to the various geographical areas.
"When they are known we will study them carefully and assess them in the light of their potential to provide a top-class education to all children at post-primary level," he said, cautiously.
Stormont Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has however, fully welcomed the consultation launched by the Commission for Catholic Education on post-primary education.
The Minister said: "The landscape is changing. The consultation on post-primary education from the Commission for Catholic Education comes at an appropriate time in the academic year. We have just had the unregulated tests results published by schools, which persisted in setting entrance barriers and parents have just finished choosing the post-primary school they want for their children this year.
"This review supports the previous statements from the Catholic Bishops regarding the ending of academic selection.
"While it offers a number of possible options in each area, the unifying factor is that Catholic education should no longer regard the selection and rejection of 11 year old children as an acceptable form of education," she said.
The Minister also welcomed the fact that the Commission's consultation takes into account the full range of education policies including the need for sustainable schools and the Entitlement Framework.
(BMcC/GK)
As the grammar school groups which ran independent entrance exams for transferring primary school pupiles last year agreed to discuss the possibility of introducing a single test, there has been a low key 'welcome' to the Catholic Commission's plans to reform post-primary education.
It emerged last night that separate papers run by the Association for Quality Education (AQE) and the Post Primary Consortium meant some children had to sit more than one exam depending on their choice of school.
A meeting was held on Monday night at Methodist College in Belfast with representatives from almost all grammar schools to discuss the issue.
Former NI Civil Service boss, Sir Kenneth Bloomfield from the AQE said a decision needs to be made and quickly.
"A single system would be better for everybody.
Meanwhile, the Catholic sector has firmly ruled out any form of post-primary selection - despite there being a groundswell of opinion in a leading Catholic school to continue with some form of testing as was the case (unofficially) last year.
SDLP Education spokesperson Dominic Bradley MLA gave a guarded welcome to the Catholic Commission's plans to reform post-primary education.
Commenting on yesterday's proposals, he said: "The SDLP wants to see a situation in which post-primary schools become all-ability schools but we must have a structured transition from selection to an all-ability system.
"We want to see the end of unregulated tests and we believe that the short-term use of a CCEA test would help to achieve an orderly and structured transition.
"In the end of the day we need public policy to apply to all sections and to all schools and we need to agree a system which achieves this goal," he said.
"Details have yet to be revealed of the Commission's proposals as they apply to the various geographical areas.
"When they are known we will study them carefully and assess them in the light of their potential to provide a top-class education to all children at post-primary level," he said, cautiously.
Stormont Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has however, fully welcomed the consultation launched by the Commission for Catholic Education on post-primary education.
The Minister said: "The landscape is changing. The consultation on post-primary education from the Commission for Catholic Education comes at an appropriate time in the academic year. We have just had the unregulated tests results published by schools, which persisted in setting entrance barriers and parents have just finished choosing the post-primary school they want for their children this year.
"This review supports the previous statements from the Catholic Bishops regarding the ending of academic selection.
"While it offers a number of possible options in each area, the unifying factor is that Catholic education should no longer regard the selection and rejection of 11 year old children as an acceptable form of education," she said.
The Minister also welcomed the fact that the Commission's consultation takes into account the full range of education policies including the need for sustainable schools and the Entitlement Framework.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 April 2002
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
06 October 2009
Republic's Minority School Cuts Opposed
Cutbacks in non Catholic schools across the Irish Republic are being opposed. It has emerged that Protestants in the State are to 'take the fight' to the Daíl to try to halt cuts to school budgets.
Republic's Minority School Cuts Opposed
Cutbacks in non Catholic schools across the Irish Republic are being opposed. It has emerged that Protestants in the State are to 'take the fight' to the Daíl to try to halt cuts to school budgets.
05 March 2009
Education Minister Drums Up Support For Integration
With over 18,000 children and young people being educated in integrated schools across Northern Ireland already, the sector has an important role to play.
Education Minister Drums Up Support For Integration
With over 18,000 children and young people being educated in integrated schools across Northern Ireland already, the sector has an important role to play.
03 April 2002
McGuinness slams NI's "world-class education myth"
The Education Minister Martin McGuinness launched a stinging criticism of the 11+ testing procedure in a speech to the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) in Limerick.
McGuinness slams NI's "world-class education myth"
The Education Minister Martin McGuinness launched a stinging criticism of the 11+ testing procedure in a speech to the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) in Limerick.
18 October 2010
End 'Apartheid' Education, Says Robinson
Education in NI is may be facing a shake-up after Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland's First Minister, denounced church schools as a "benign form of apartheid", saying that "we cannot hope to move beyond our present community divisions while our young people are educated separately".
End 'Apartheid' Education, Says Robinson
Education in NI is may be facing a shake-up after Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland's First Minister, denounced church schools as a "benign form of apartheid", saying that "we cannot hope to move beyond our present community divisions while our young people are educated separately".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
