44% Of P7s Want 11-Plus Retained, Says Survey

Fewer than half of primary seven pupils, quizzed in a recent survey, have indicated they want to keep the current 11-plus transfer procedure.

The study, conducted by Queen's University and the University of Ulster, also found nearly a quarter of P7 children have been physically bullied at school.

The political ructions surrounding contentious amendments to the transfer procedure have contributed to the virtual deadlock around the Executive table at Stormont.

It would now seem, similarly divisive views have trickled into classrooms across Northern Ireland.

Forty-four per cent of children said they wanted to retain the academic testing, while 35% said it should be abolished.

Twenty per cent of pupils who achieved 'A' grades said the 11-plus should end, compared to almost half of those who scored a 'D'.

A fifth of the children questioned said they felt under pressure because of the exam, however, 43% said it was pressure they has placed on themselves.

A shocking 22% of children, more than one in five, said they had been physically bullied in school.

A further 39% of pupils have been bullied verbally, by text messaging or on the internet.

One in ten children quizzed have received a threatening text message.

More than half believed children in their school were suffering at the hands of bullies.

Eighty-seven percent of P7s said their school had introduced bulling rules, with more saying bulling in the classroom had been discussed.

University of Ulster Psychology Professor Ed Cairns said: "We need to be worried about all children caught up in bulling incidents, but the group we possibly should be most concerned about in terms of their mental health later in life is the bullies.

"Bullying is an important issue and one that most schools in Northern Ireland have a policy to deal with," added the Professor.

Compared to their counterparts in other parts of the UK and Ireland, Northern Ireland children feel better about their school and general physical and mental well being.

On average girls feel better about their learning progress, particularly in their writing.

Almost 3,500 children were questioned as part of the Kids' Life and Times Survey - the first time P7 pupils have been given the opportunity to voice their views on certain topics.

The study was funded by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.

(PR/JM)