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04/12/2007
11-plus Scrapped
The traditional 11-plus transfer test will no longer be taking place, replaced instead by a new concept of transfer to secondary education at age 14.
Testing of Northern Ireland's P7 children will be scrapped from next year, the Assembly Education Minister has said.
The Sinn Fein MLA, Caitriona Ruane, said the test would be discontinued from next year and that, while her proposals were ambitious, they would end an "outdated and unequal education system" which labelled 11-year-olds as "failures".
The Assembly was told today (Tuesday), that 14 is now the key age.
In recent months she has been dropping hints over the issue, believing 14 to be a more logical age for children to make decisions about their future.
The reforms would be "an opportunity to transform our education system into one fit for the 21st century", she told Assembly members.
However, there is expected to be widespread opposition to the abolition by several interest groups.
The future of academic selection has been the most contentious topic in education in Northern Ireland since former Education Minister – now Deputy First Minister - Martin McGuinness announced plans to scrap the 11-plus transfer test, five years ago.
The DUP raised the matter in the political negotiations that took place at St Andrews in Scotland and succeeded in staving off an outright ban on academic selection for a time.
See: Challenge Issued On Post Primary Selection
(BMcC)
Testing of Northern Ireland's P7 children will be scrapped from next year, the Assembly Education Minister has said.
The Sinn Fein MLA, Caitriona Ruane, said the test would be discontinued from next year and that, while her proposals were ambitious, they would end an "outdated and unequal education system" which labelled 11-year-olds as "failures".
The Assembly was told today (Tuesday), that 14 is now the key age.
In recent months she has been dropping hints over the issue, believing 14 to be a more logical age for children to make decisions about their future.
The reforms would be "an opportunity to transform our education system into one fit for the 21st century", she told Assembly members.
However, there is expected to be widespread opposition to the abolition by several interest groups.
The future of academic selection has been the most contentious topic in education in Northern Ireland since former Education Minister – now Deputy First Minister - Martin McGuinness announced plans to scrap the 11-plus transfer test, five years ago.
The DUP raised the matter in the political negotiations that took place at St Andrews in Scotland and succeeded in staving off an outright ban on academic selection for a time.
See: Challenge Issued On Post Primary Selection
(BMcC)
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04 December 2007
Challenge Issued On Post Primary Selection
An educational lobby group dedicated to retaining academic selection has directly challenged Education Minister Caitriona Ruane by devising an alternative transfer test.
Challenge Issued On Post Primary Selection
An educational lobby group dedicated to retaining academic selection has directly challenged Education Minister Caitriona Ruane by devising an alternative transfer test.
27 April 2012
Higher Education Strategy For NI Launches
Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry today addressed members of the Assembly to launch 'Graduating to Success - A Higher Education Strategy for Northern Ireland'.
Higher Education Strategy For NI Launches
Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry today addressed members of the Assembly to launch 'Graduating to Success - A Higher Education Strategy for Northern Ireland'.
18 July 2007
New Further Education Sector Takes Shape
Northern Ireland’s 16 Further Education (FE) colleges are to merge into six larger area based groupings from 1 August 2007. Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, highlighted the importance of the mergers and confirmed that the number of college campuses delivering courses locally would not change as a result of these mergers.
New Further Education Sector Takes Shape
Northern Ireland’s 16 Further Education (FE) colleges are to merge into six larger area based groupings from 1 August 2007. Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, highlighted the importance of the mergers and confirmed that the number of college campuses delivering courses locally would not change as a result of these mergers.
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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.
