McGuinness welcomes report on post-primary education

Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Report of the Review Body on Post-Primary Education and stressed the need for change.

Gerry Burns, the Review Body’s Chairman, launched the Report at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Wednesday October 24.

Speaking from Parliament Buildings were Mr McGuinness congratulated the Review Body, he said: "I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Gerry Burns and all the members of his team for the huge amount of time and effort they have invested in this project. Their report is far-reaching and makes a wide range of recommendations on the future arrangements for post-primary education.

"There is a clear need for change. The Research into Selection by Professor Tony Gallagher highlighted the problems arising from the present school structures and the responses to the consultation undertaken by the Review Body demonstrated the depth of public concern about the current post-primary arrangements.

"Both the Assembly Education Committee and the Review Body have called for extensive change and we must address this seriously. We need a modern education system that enables all our children to reach their full potential. That is the right of every child and is an objective that I believe is widely shared."

The Minister then outlined his plans for consultation, he added: "We need to take time to allow the full range of opinion to be expressed before making any decisions on the way forward. I am keen that everyone has the opportunity to comment on the Review Body’s proposals and my Department is therefore distributing the Report for consultation to all schools, education partners, MLA’s as well as business and community organisations. There will be an extended period of consultation until May 17 2002."

Explaining how future decisions would be taken, Mr McGuinness said he was hopeful that a clear consensus would emerge from the consultation but emphasised that final proposals would be fully discussed with the Executive Assembly Education Committee and Assembly before being implemented.

The Minister also confirmed that the current arrangements for selection and transfer would remain in place until the consultation is over and any new arrangements have been developed.

(GB)