Menu
28/01/2009
'Decisive' 11-plus Move Promised At Stormont
It's full marks for effort as Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane revealed this week that she intends to bring yet more proposals on replacing the controversial 11-plus exam to the Stormont Executive.
According to the BBC, she wants to begin a discussion "with a view to approving regulations with the force of law" tomorrow, with Sinn Féin sources saying that Ms Ruane wanted to "move forward decisively".
However, it has been her lack of clarity - and what some have branded as 'indecision' - that has since led many grammar schools in Northern Ireland to wash their hands of the Minister's evolving proposals and determine to hold their own independent tests to preserve academic selection.
Many politicians, parents and teachers are therefore concerned that there is still no final plan for what will replace the controversial exam next year.
This is especially true as she opposes academic selection, and favours instead the inclusion of demographic criteria such as the distance a child lives from a chosen school.
However, while she insists that the 15,000 Primary Seven children who sat Northern Ireland's 11-plus exam in November last year would be the last to do so, the Minister has since appeared to edge toward a 'sliding scale' which would more gradually introduce the removal of such selection processes.
In advance of the 'final' 2008 examination candidates receiving their results in February, there remains confusion with DUP sources also insisting Ms Ruane has failed to recognise that academic selection is 'safeguarded in law' which they said makes the chances of an Executive agreement on the matter extremely slim.
Confusion continues as some academic selection will remain - as a compromise for schools that have boycotted the Minister's stance.
Ms Ruane has permitted the schools to use English and maths tests, set and marked by the CCEA examining board.
Half of grammar school candidates will be selected through testing in the first year, with this process eventually being phased out over the following three years.
See: 60 Years Of 11+ Exam Ends Today?
(BMcC/JM)
According to the BBC, she wants to begin a discussion "with a view to approving regulations with the force of law" tomorrow, with Sinn Féin sources saying that Ms Ruane wanted to "move forward decisively".
However, it has been her lack of clarity - and what some have branded as 'indecision' - that has since led many grammar schools in Northern Ireland to wash their hands of the Minister's evolving proposals and determine to hold their own independent tests to preserve academic selection.
Many politicians, parents and teachers are therefore concerned that there is still no final plan for what will replace the controversial exam next year.
This is especially true as she opposes academic selection, and favours instead the inclusion of demographic criteria such as the distance a child lives from a chosen school.
However, while she insists that the 15,000 Primary Seven children who sat Northern Ireland's 11-plus exam in November last year would be the last to do so, the Minister has since appeared to edge toward a 'sliding scale' which would more gradually introduce the removal of such selection processes.
In advance of the 'final' 2008 examination candidates receiving their results in February, there remains confusion with DUP sources also insisting Ms Ruane has failed to recognise that academic selection is 'safeguarded in law' which they said makes the chances of an Executive agreement on the matter extremely slim.
Confusion continues as some academic selection will remain - as a compromise for schools that have boycotted the Minister's stance.
Ms Ruane has permitted the schools to use English and maths tests, set and marked by the CCEA examining board.
Half of grammar school candidates will be selected through testing in the first year, with this process eventually being phased out over the following three years.
See: 60 Years Of 11+ Exam Ends Today?
(BMcC/JM)
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”.
12 February 2024
Dept Of Health Engages In Detailed Discussions With NI Children's Hospice
The Department of Health has been engaged in a week detailed discussions on the current situation at NI Children's Hospice (NICH) , including direct engagement with the Hospice itself. Minister for Health, Robin Swann, has said that it is clear that the financial pressures facing NICH go much deeper than any reduction of Departmental support.
Dept Of Health Engages In Detailed Discussions With NI Children's Hospice
The Department of Health has been engaged in a week detailed discussions on the current situation at NI Children's Hospice (NICH) , including direct engagement with the Hospice itself. Minister for Health, Robin Swann, has said that it is clear that the financial pressures facing NICH go much deeper than any reduction of Departmental support.
12 February 2024
Economy Minister Holds Meeting With Irish Minister For Enterprise
The Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has held a meeting InterTradeIreland's office in Newry with Ireland's Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD. Highlighting the importance of holding an early meeting with Minister Coveney, Minister Murphy said that the topic of discussion was "how we can prosper from the Windsor Framework".
Economy Minister Holds Meeting With Irish Minister For Enterprise
The Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has held a meeting InterTradeIreland's office in Newry with Ireland's Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD. Highlighting the importance of holding an early meeting with Minister Coveney, Minister Murphy said that the topic of discussion was "how we can prosper from the Windsor Framework".
09 February 2024
Ministers Join Chief Constable For PSNI Graduation Ceremony
The PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has welcomed First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Justice Minister Naomi Long at today's, Friday 9th February, attestation ceremony held at the Police College in Garnerville.
Ministers Join Chief Constable For PSNI Graduation Ceremony
The PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has welcomed First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Justice Minister Naomi Long at today's, Friday 9th February, attestation ceremony held at the Police College in Garnerville.
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. The test is likely to be used by up to 20 Ulster grammar schools as a means of selection for over-subscribed schools.
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. The test is likely to be used by up to 20 Ulster grammar schools as a means of selection for over-subscribed schools.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
