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24/09/2008
Ruane Legal Threat Contention
A threat to grammar schools planning to set their own transfer entrance exam has been slammed as a "declaration of war".
Ulster Unionist Education Spokesman Basil McCrea said yesterday that NI Education Minister Caitriona Ruane was "declaring war" on schools across Northern Ireland.
"Minister Ruane's explicit threat against those post-primaries intent on using an entrance test is all the more disgraceful because it has been her incompetence and inaction that has led to this state of affairs," he said.
Caitriona Ruane insisted yesterday that no 'plan B' exists if the combined Assembly unionist parties do not back down from their strong opposition to her proposal to phase out academic selection from Northern Ireland's schools.
Despite the fact that parents and teachers continue to face confusion and there now seems to be a real possibility of a chaotic, even unregulated education system, the NI Department of Education indicated that the only proposal currently being considered by the Education Minister is her own contentious plan.
The news comes following a heated question time in the Assembly on Monday when Ms Ruane announced she would "take action" against schools who move their teaching away from the official curriculum to help pupils prepare for entrance exams being set by 30 grammar schools.
A spokesman for the Department said yesterday that it has the power "to direct a board of governors in order to prevent the unreasonable exercise of its functions".
However, Sir Ken Bloomfield, Chair of the Association for Quality Education (which represents the 30 grammars planning to set their own test) said the Minister's threat was "incomprehensible".
"There will be no need to disrupt or change the curriculum in primary schools to prepare children for our tests," Sir Ken Bloomfield has said.
Now, the Minister "is seeking a legislative framework for her proposals" having warned that failure to reach agreement on future arrangements will result in "no regulations" governing post-primary school admissions.
Children currently in P6 still do not know how they will transfer to post-primary schools after the last 11-plus tests are sat by P7 pupils this November.
See: 'Small Minority' Blocking Change, Insists Ruane
(BMcC)
Ulster Unionist Education Spokesman Basil McCrea said yesterday that NI Education Minister Caitriona Ruane was "declaring war" on schools across Northern Ireland.
"Minister Ruane's explicit threat against those post-primaries intent on using an entrance test is all the more disgraceful because it has been her incompetence and inaction that has led to this state of affairs," he said.
Caitriona Ruane insisted yesterday that no 'plan B' exists if the combined Assembly unionist parties do not back down from their strong opposition to her proposal to phase out academic selection from Northern Ireland's schools.
Despite the fact that parents and teachers continue to face confusion and there now seems to be a real possibility of a chaotic, even unregulated education system, the NI Department of Education indicated that the only proposal currently being considered by the Education Minister is her own contentious plan.
The news comes following a heated question time in the Assembly on Monday when Ms Ruane announced she would "take action" against schools who move their teaching away from the official curriculum to help pupils prepare for entrance exams being set by 30 grammar schools.
A spokesman for the Department said yesterday that it has the power "to direct a board of governors in order to prevent the unreasonable exercise of its functions".
However, Sir Ken Bloomfield, Chair of the Association for Quality Education (which represents the 30 grammars planning to set their own test) said the Minister's threat was "incomprehensible".
"There will be no need to disrupt or change the curriculum in primary schools to prepare children for our tests," Sir Ken Bloomfield has said.
Now, the Minister "is seeking a legislative framework for her proposals" having warned that failure to reach agreement on future arrangements will result in "no regulations" governing post-primary school admissions.
Children currently in P6 still do not know how they will transfer to post-primary schools after the last 11-plus tests are sat by P7 pupils this November.
See: 'Small Minority' Blocking Change, Insists Ruane
(BMcC)
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There has been renewed criticism of the Sinn Fein Minister for Education today. The North Antrim MP, veteran politician Ian Paisley has accused Caitriona Ruane of dragging her feet over the appointment of over 100 governors to grammar schools in Northern Ireland.
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There has been renewed criticism of the Sinn Fein Minister for Education today. The North Antrim MP, veteran politician Ian Paisley has accused Caitriona Ruane of dragging her feet over the appointment of over 100 governors to grammar schools in Northern Ireland.
16 March 2010
DUP Man Ousted From Chamber
A Unionist Assemblyman was last night ordered from the debating chamber for refusing to withdraw remarks about the Education Minister. Jonathan Bell, a DUP MLA for Strangford, (pictured) refuted comments that the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson had ever endorsed Caitriona Ruane's actions relating to prep schools in Northern Ireland.
DUP Man Ousted From Chamber
A Unionist Assemblyman was last night ordered from the debating chamber for refusing to withdraw remarks about the Education Minister. Jonathan Bell, a DUP MLA for Strangford, (pictured) refuted comments that the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson had ever endorsed Caitriona Ruane's actions relating to prep schools in Northern Ireland.
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”.
13 September 2012
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05 March 2009
Education Minister Drums Up Support For Integration
With over 18,000 children and young people being educated in integrated schools across Northern Ireland already, the sector has an important role to play.
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With over 18,000 children and young people being educated in integrated schools across Northern Ireland already, the sector has an important role to play.
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