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28/06/2019
SF Demand End To 'Damaging' Transfer Tests
Sinn Fein has issued a call for the end of transfer tests in Northern Ireland following a recent report on the detrimental impact the process has on children.
The party's education spokeswoman Karen Mullan was commenting after the review from the Right to Education (R2E) group, which found that 92% of teachers felt transfer testing has a "significant negative impact" on children's mental health.
It also concluded that the current use of unregulated tests by some schools "shows wanton disregard to children's needs".
Karen Mullan said: "This report is the latest in a long line of studies which have exposed the cruel and damaging impact of academic selection on children.
"The evidence couldn't be clearer which is why the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Equality Commission, the Human Rights Commission, Children's Commissioner, the OECD, the trade union movement and the Catholic Church hierarchy have all called for an end to academic selection.
"Unfortunately, many schools continue to select and reject children based on an unregulated test system.
"That needs to end. It is damaging for children and damaging for the education system.
"In light of this latest study, school board of governors should now show leadership and end the use of transfer tests in favour of building a fully inclusive and non-selective education system for the betterment of all our young people."
(JG/CM)
The party's education spokeswoman Karen Mullan was commenting after the review from the Right to Education (R2E) group, which found that 92% of teachers felt transfer testing has a "significant negative impact" on children's mental health.
It also concluded that the current use of unregulated tests by some schools "shows wanton disregard to children's needs".
Karen Mullan said: "This report is the latest in a long line of studies which have exposed the cruel and damaging impact of academic selection on children.
"The evidence couldn't be clearer which is why the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Equality Commission, the Human Rights Commission, Children's Commissioner, the OECD, the trade union movement and the Catholic Church hierarchy have all called for an end to academic selection.
"Unfortunately, many schools continue to select and reject children based on an unregulated test system.
"That needs to end. It is damaging for children and damaging for the education system.
"In light of this latest study, school board of governors should now show leadership and end the use of transfer tests in favour of building a fully inclusive and non-selective education system for the betterment of all our young people."
(JG/CM)
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