01/02/2008
Education 'Policy' Could Ruin Ruane
The Northern Ireland Minister for Education may be subject to a vote of no confidence as a debacle over 11 plus reform continues to escalate.
As thousands await their 11 plus results throughout Northern Ireland, ministers are clamouring to criticise Caitriona Ruane’s performance in front of the Education Committee in Stormont, and her apparent engagement in confidential meetings discussing plans to delay the transfer test until the age of 14.
She came under a tirade of criticism from the DUP, SDLP and UUP and was accused of being an "abysmal and absolute failure" during her appearance in front of the committee.
The UUP's Basil McCrea was outraged, he said: "I want to know who she has been talking to and what she has said. We have also requested that she comes and talks to the committee in private session.
"If she does not agree to these requests then I will press for a vote of no confidence to be taken by the Assembly and would hope to obtain the committee's support for this."
DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson said she had treated the members with contempt and called her appearance "disgraceful".
Ms Ruane came under further fire after providing answers to 29 questions posed to her last month only minutes before her responses were due to be discussed.
During an interview on Radio Ulster, Ms Ruane said: "What happened yesterday was that the chairman of the education committee was playing politics with the education system."
Ms Ruane was appointed Minister of Education in May 2007, and has been planning an overhaul to the transfer system ever since.
(DW)
As thousands await their 11 plus results throughout Northern Ireland, ministers are clamouring to criticise Caitriona Ruane’s performance in front of the Education Committee in Stormont, and her apparent engagement in confidential meetings discussing plans to delay the transfer test until the age of 14.
She came under a tirade of criticism from the DUP, SDLP and UUP and was accused of being an "abysmal and absolute failure" during her appearance in front of the committee.
The UUP's Basil McCrea was outraged, he said: "I want to know who she has been talking to and what she has said. We have also requested that she comes and talks to the committee in private session.
"If she does not agree to these requests then I will press for a vote of no confidence to be taken by the Assembly and would hope to obtain the committee's support for this."
DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson said she had treated the members with contempt and called her appearance "disgraceful".
Ms Ruane came under further fire after providing answers to 29 questions posed to her last month only minutes before her responses were due to be discussed.
During an interview on Radio Ulster, Ms Ruane said: "What happened yesterday was that the chairman of the education committee was playing politics with the education system."
Ms Ruane was appointed Minister of Education in May 2007, and has been planning an overhaul to the transfer system ever since.
(DW)
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25 June 2010
Criticism As School Building Plan Dropped
A delay in implementing plans for a new building at an Irish medium school in Twinbrook has come in for criticism. SDLP Deputy Mayor of Lisburn Cllr Brian Heading has criticised Sinn Féin Education Minister Caitriona Ruane for shelving it.
Criticism As School Building Plan Dropped
A delay in implementing plans for a new building at an Irish medium school in Twinbrook has come in for criticism. SDLP Deputy Mayor of Lisburn Cllr Brian Heading has criticised Sinn Féin Education Minister Caitriona Ruane for shelving it.
29 October 2008
Finance GSCE Ditched
Ulster schools are to ditch a GSCE course in Financial Services, it has emerged. The move has been blamed on the low uptake of the qualification, coupled with the 'overlap' between it and other exams.
Finance GSCE Ditched
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23 September 2008
'Small Minority' Blocking Change, Insists Ruane
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has insisted she will not resign over the '11 Plus' fiasco, maintaining she "has a job to do". The Minister, speaking on Radio Ulster this morning, said a "small minority" are blocking changes to the Northern Ireland education system.
'Small Minority' Blocking Change, Insists Ruane
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has insisted she will not resign over the '11 Plus' fiasco, maintaining she "has a job to do". The Minister, speaking on Radio Ulster this morning, said a "small minority" are blocking changes to the Northern Ireland education system.
19 February 2008
Apology Over Files That 'Fell Off The Back Of A Lorry'
While slamming a fellow MLA's motives for revealing the issue in the first place, the NI Assembly Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane has now apologised after personal files were found dumped at a Co Down roadside. The confidential education files containing personal data on pupils and their families was discovered at the side of a road near Newry.
Apology Over Files That 'Fell Off The Back Of A Lorry'
While slamming a fellow MLA's motives for revealing the issue in the first place, the NI Assembly Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane has now apologised after personal files were found dumped at a Co Down roadside. The confidential education files containing personal data on pupils and their families was discovered at the side of a road near Newry.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.