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28/01/2009
'Decisive' 11-plus Move Promised At Stormont
It's full marks for effort as Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane revealed this week that she intends to bring yet more proposals on replacing the controversial 11-plus exam to the Stormont Executive.
According to the BBC, she wants to begin a discussion "with a view to approving regulations with the force of law" tomorrow, with Sinn Féin sources saying that Ms Ruane wanted to "move forward decisively".
However, it has been her lack of clarity - and what some have branded as 'indecision' - that has since led many grammar schools in Northern Ireland to wash their hands of the Minister's evolving proposals and determine to hold their own independent tests to preserve academic selection.
Many politicians, parents and teachers are therefore concerned that there is still no final plan for what will replace the controversial exam next year.
This is especially true as she opposes academic selection, and favours instead the inclusion of demographic criteria such as the distance a child lives from a chosen school.
However, while she insists that the 15,000 Primary Seven children who sat Northern Ireland's 11-plus exam in November last year would be the last to do so, the Minister has since appeared to edge toward a 'sliding scale' which would more gradually introduce the removal of such selection processes.
In advance of the 'final' 2008 examination candidates receiving their results in February, there remains confusion with DUP sources also insisting Ms Ruane has failed to recognise that academic selection is 'safeguarded in law' which they said makes the chances of an Executive agreement on the matter extremely slim.
Confusion continues as some academic selection will remain - as a compromise for schools that have boycotted the Minister's stance.
Ms Ruane has permitted the schools to use English and maths tests, set and marked by the CCEA examining board.
Half of grammar school candidates will be selected through testing in the first year, with this process eventually being phased out over the following three years.
See: 60 Years Of 11+ Exam Ends Today?
(BMcC/JM)
According to the BBC, she wants to begin a discussion "with a view to approving regulations with the force of law" tomorrow, with Sinn Féin sources saying that Ms Ruane wanted to "move forward decisively".
However, it has been her lack of clarity - and what some have branded as 'indecision' - that has since led many grammar schools in Northern Ireland to wash their hands of the Minister's evolving proposals and determine to hold their own independent tests to preserve academic selection.
Many politicians, parents and teachers are therefore concerned that there is still no final plan for what will replace the controversial exam next year.
This is especially true as she opposes academic selection, and favours instead the inclusion of demographic criteria such as the distance a child lives from a chosen school.
However, while she insists that the 15,000 Primary Seven children who sat Northern Ireland's 11-plus exam in November last year would be the last to do so, the Minister has since appeared to edge toward a 'sliding scale' which would more gradually introduce the removal of such selection processes.
In advance of the 'final' 2008 examination candidates receiving their results in February, there remains confusion with DUP sources also insisting Ms Ruane has failed to recognise that academic selection is 'safeguarded in law' which they said makes the chances of an Executive agreement on the matter extremely slim.
Confusion continues as some academic selection will remain - as a compromise for schools that have boycotted the Minister's stance.
Ms Ruane has permitted the schools to use English and maths tests, set and marked by the CCEA examining board.
Half of grammar school candidates will be selected through testing in the first year, with this process eventually being phased out over the following three years.
See: 60 Years Of 11+ Exam Ends Today?
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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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”.
04 December 2007
Challenge Issued On Post Primary Selection
An educational lobby group dedicated to retaining academic selection has directly challenged Education Minister Caitriona Ruane by devising an alternative transfer test. The test is likely to be used by up to 20 Ulster grammar schools as a means of selection for over-subscribed schools.
Challenge Issued On Post Primary Selection
An educational lobby group dedicated to retaining academic selection has directly challenged Education Minister Caitriona Ruane by devising an alternative transfer test. The test is likely to be used by up to 20 Ulster grammar schools as a means of selection for over-subscribed schools.
04 December 2007
Funds Warning For Grammar Schools Testing At 11-plus
The traditional 11-plus transfer test will no longer be taking place, replaced instead by a new concept of transfer to secondary education at age 14. Testing of Northern Ireland's P7 children will be scrapped from next year, the Assembly Education Minister has said.
Funds Warning For Grammar Schools Testing At 11-plus
The traditional 11-plus transfer test will no longer be taking place, replaced instead by a new concept of transfer to secondary education at age 14. Testing of Northern Ireland's P7 children will be scrapped from next year, the Assembly Education Minister has said.
14 June 2006
Teachers unions hit out at government plans
Two of Northern Ireland's main teaching unions have today hit out against the government's plan to delay their decision on scrapping the academic selection process. It was announced on Monday that the government were to hold off on whether to abolish the 11-plus, until after the restoration of devolution deadline was reached on November 24.
Teachers unions hit out at government plans
Two of Northern Ireland's main teaching unions have today hit out against the government's plan to delay their decision on scrapping the academic selection process. It was announced on Monday that the government were to hold off on whether to abolish the 11-plus, until after the restoration of devolution deadline was reached on November 24.
15 April 2002
“Academic selection must go” CCMS tell McGuinness
The body that promotes the interests of the Catholic education sector has told the Education Minister that the current form of the 11+ transfer system must go.
“Academic selection must go” CCMS tell McGuinness
The body that promotes the interests of the Catholic education sector has told the Education Minister that the current form of the 11+ transfer system must go.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
