SDLP expects post-primary announcement by June

Following on from a meeting with the NIO at Castle Buildings yesterday, the SDLP's education spokesperson Tommy Gallagher has said that he expects alternatives to the current selection process to be outlined by June.

The SDLP delegation, comprising assembly members Tommy Gallagher, Alban Maguinness and Patricia Lewsley, said that its preference would be for selection tests to take place when pupils reach 14 years of age, rather than age 11, as is the case at the moment.

Mr Gallagher also voiced his concerns that there had been "no clarity" as to what will replace the current transfer tests, or indeed whether the new procedure would be in place before 2005.

He added: "We stressed that any new system should give parity of esteem to all educational pathways – academic, vocational and technical.

"We pointed out that we see no benefit in segregating and stigmatising children at age 11 and our preference is to see children transfer to their local post-primary school at least until age 14. This is a better age for key decision about the educational future of young people."

NIO Minister with responsibility for Education, Jane Kennedy said transfer tests would be abolished as soon as new arrangements were in place.

She added: "It is important that we move forward with consensus and I will consider carefully the views expressed in my ongoing meetings with politicians, the education sector and parents, along with the responses to all the stands of the consultation, before determining the next stages of the review.”

Yesterday's meeting was the fourth between the NIO and local political parties. Ms Kennedy met representatives of the UUP and Alliance Party on 18 November and with the DUP on 11 December 2002.

(GMcG)