Kennedy slams Burns proposals as “seriously flawed”

The chairman of the Assembly’s Education Committee has said he believes the reforms contained within the Burns Proposals on post primary reform are “seriously flawed”.

In an address to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Education Committee Chairman Danny Kennedy told the congregation although there were elements that were practical and welcome within the Burns report, the document if ratified in its entirety would lead to a “bog standard” education system for Northern Ireland.

Mr Kennedy’s arguments for rejecting the Burns proposals centre on the introduction of a comprehensive system of education in Northern Ireland at a time when in other parts of the UK it is being discredited.

“The Burns proposals on the creation of a new bureaucratic layer of administration through the creation of Collegiates are seriously flawed, untried and unworkable. They should not be implemented.

“All in all, Burns if implemented would have a very serious and adverse impact on education in NI with selection by post-code a real possibility and the creation of an independent and private school sector – cheque-book education.

Mr Kennedy also highlighted his concern at the recommendation to postpone the age of transfer to age 14 at the end of Key Stage 3.

“Aside from other considerations, the cost implications of such a proposal would be enormous, with the creation of new Junior High Schools,” Mr Kennedy said.

Addressing the General Assembly Mr Kennedy added: “I urge all of you to play your part in shaping a new system, but implore you to reject these proposals and look to alternatives that will retain the best of our present system and improve the rest.”

He called on members of the General Assembly and the entire community to avail of the opportunity provided by the Household Response Form to air their views on the Burns recommendations and return their responses by the June 28 deadline.

Summarising Mr Kennedy said: “Most people accept that the current 11 plus examination is flawed and should be replaced with an acceptable alternative. That does not mean however that academic testing should be consigned to the dustbin of history. The key to maintaining high academic standards of excellence is to retain in some appropriate way academic testing in conjunction with the Pupil Profile and Parental Choice. Otherwise, we will leave Principals and teachers facing enormous pressure from anxious parents hoping to send their children to what are currently called ‘grammar schools’”.

(AMcE)