Grammar schools mark Burns Report as 'not fit'

A group representing Northern Ireland grammar schools have criticised the Burns report on a new structure for post primary education as "not fit for the purpose".

On Tuesday, February 12, the Governing Bodies Association (GBA), which represents 54 grammar schools across the province, admitted the current system was not perfect but that as a reforming model, the Burns Report needed "massive revamping".

However, the GBA said the answer to the problem could not be a "dumping" of grammar schools and the "imposition of an unproven scheme".

The Burns review of Northern Ireland's education system recommended an end to the controversial 11-plus transfer test. The exam, used as a selection test for pupils in primary seven, determines the type of school to which children will transfer.

The 300-page report by the Post Primary Review body, chaired by Gerry Burns, was published last October, suggested the 11-plus test be scrapped within two years.

However, one of the main criticisms of the Burn's Report is what the GBA describe as the "inexplicable" refusal to provide pupil profiling available to the pupil intake school. The group also sharply criticises the collegiate system, which they said was an unworkable grouping of schools.

Finbar McCallion, GBA chairman said their preliminary analysis of the report represented a "rallying call" to everyone who valued the high standards of the present education system: "To parents everywhere I say we owe our children the best and most appropriate education possible to suit their needs. Burns does not offer that. To the business community I say we tell the investment world that we have an excellently educated workforce. It is our only asset and competitive edge. There is no question of running away from this debate; we intend to meet it head on."

Mr McCallion said he welcomed the extension of the consultation deadline by the Education Minister Martin McGuinness to June 28 2002. Mr McGuinness told the Northern Ireland Assembly this week that he wanted a full and public debate on the way forward for post primary arrangements and urged members of the public that it was "vitally important to make it clear what changes they want."

(AMcE)