Testing Time For Primary School Pupils

It is the beginning of the end today for the contentious 11-plus Transfer Test with more than 15,000 children across Northern Ireland sitting the first part of the examination today.

This will be the last year of the controversial test for primary sevens with the second part of the examination being held on 21st November.

NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, (pictured) has used today as an opportunity to welcome the penultimate test because she said its demise "removes unnecessary pressure on children".

The Stormont Minister said: "I have repeatedly said that academic selection is both unnecessary and unjust.

"In many schools preparation for the transfer tests starts in P5 and this puts two years of pressure on nine and 10-year-old children.

"I want to bring about a reformed education system, where every child has the opportunity to achieve to their maximum ability. I want to ensure schools can deliver excellence in academic and many other areas and provide their pupils with the widest range of educational choices.

"I have set out proposals for the way ahead which include a compromise position around a three-year transition period," she said noting that these proposals have been developed following hours of discussions with key partners in education.

"I believe they offer a solution that is in the best interests of all children," she insisted.

However, earlier this week, the four main church leaders in Northern Ireland announced a joint plan to help end what has become a virtual 11-plus stalemate.

The Church of Ireland, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches said pupil transfer at 14 instead of 11 years was a "workable proposal" and urged the politicians to work towards a resolution of the empasse.

It has seen the Minister come in for severe criticism for not making future transfer arrangements clear with both leading teachers and parents left in confusion.

See: Sinn Féin Welcomes Church 11-Plus Initiative

(BMcC)