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13/02/2008
Assembly Warning On Timescale For 11+ Transfer Replacement
Amid continuing warnings that any attempt to push through controversial 11+ Transfer replacement legislation without NI Executive support could 'collapse of the Assembly', it now seems the first children to change schools under Caitriona Ruane's new system may not know what criteria they need to meet to get into the post-primary of their choice in September 2009.
The issue is now likely to be discussed tomorrow at the next meeting of the Assembly's Ministerial team.
The Education Minister has given herself until November 2009 to publish the criteria which will be used by post-primary schools after the 11-plus is scrapped later this year.
Ms Ruane has said that she aims to move the deadline forward to "well before November 2009".
However, UUP Education Spokesman Basil McCrea said that it was "absolutely ridiculous" to suggest that admissions criteria for pupils entering P6 in September 2008 could be published as late as November 2009.
"Schools would need to know by this June for planning purposes. Trying to put in place a new system in just two years is simply bonkers and could end up in disaster."
Also, the DUP's Sammy Wilson said it would be "horrendous" if new admissions criteria are not confirmed until later next year.
"I imagine that principals and parents would be up in arms," he said.
Meanwhile, the DUP also continues to argue that there must be approval from the Executive before Ms Ruane can bring admissions criteria before the Assembly.
(BMcC)
The issue is now likely to be discussed tomorrow at the next meeting of the Assembly's Ministerial team.
The Education Minister has given herself until November 2009 to publish the criteria which will be used by post-primary schools after the 11-plus is scrapped later this year.
Ms Ruane has said that she aims to move the deadline forward to "well before November 2009".
However, UUP Education Spokesman Basil McCrea said that it was "absolutely ridiculous" to suggest that admissions criteria for pupils entering P6 in September 2008 could be published as late as November 2009.
"Schools would need to know by this June for planning purposes. Trying to put in place a new system in just two years is simply bonkers and could end up in disaster."
Also, the DUP's Sammy Wilson said it would be "horrendous" if new admissions criteria are not confirmed until later next year.
"I imagine that principals and parents would be up in arms," he said.
Meanwhile, the DUP also continues to argue that there must be approval from the Executive before Ms Ruane can bring admissions criteria before the Assembly.
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
