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17/10/2002
McGuinness meets NIO minister to discuss scrapping 11-plus
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has met the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) minister in charge of education following the suspension of the local executive on Monday.
As the former Minister for Education, Mr McGuinness met Jane Kennedy today to appeal for his decision to scrap the 11-plus transfer test be upheld.
Mr McGuinness announced his decision to scrap the test just three days before the suspension of devolution. However, the proposed move has been criticised by grammar schools and the two main unionist parties.
Ulster Unionist education committee member Ken Robinson said the former Education Minister's move was an act of "political opportunism and educational folly," while DUP assembly member Sammy Wilson, a former teacher himself, also accused the minister of ignoring the results of the survey which had indicated that the public wanted the transfer test kept.
But this claim was refuted by Mr McGuinness who said there was overwhelming support from the public for the abolition of the test.
Mr McGuinness' decision to meet Ms Kennedy follows the suspension of institutions on Monday.
(MB)
As the former Minister for Education, Mr McGuinness met Jane Kennedy today to appeal for his decision to scrap the 11-plus transfer test be upheld.
Mr McGuinness announced his decision to scrap the test just three days before the suspension of devolution. However, the proposed move has been criticised by grammar schools and the two main unionist parties.
Ulster Unionist education committee member Ken Robinson said the former Education Minister's move was an act of "political opportunism and educational folly," while DUP assembly member Sammy Wilson, a former teacher himself, also accused the minister of ignoring the results of the survey which had indicated that the public wanted the transfer test kept.
But this claim was refuted by Mr McGuinness who said there was overwhelming support from the public for the abolition of the test.
Mr McGuinness' decision to meet Ms Kennedy follows the suspension of institutions on Monday.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
