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14/05/2008
11-plus Lives On!
Rumours of the death of academic selection are - it seems - greatly exaggerated.
After months of insisting that there would be no return to the axed 11-plus, NI Education Minister Caitríona Ruane today revealed her 'new' plan - to continue academic selection for another three years.
Last December, Ms Ruane announced that the test, commonly known as the 11-plus, would come to an end in 2008.
However, the Sinn Fein Minister is now insisting that she still had a "vision that there will be no academic selection" and she was prepared to take the steps needed to achieve that, and therefore her plan to continue academic selection for another three years was a "difficult move".
In a speech to grammar and secondary school principals, the Minister also referred to personal criticism of her, but turned this into her "thanks" to everyone "for adding to the debate".
And, while she said there cannot be a "Transfer Test Mark II" and that she hoped academic selection will soon be seen as an "historical anomaly", the new tests would nevertheless be developed and marked by the NI Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
She is now proposing this form of testing to continue for the three years, but to impose a new limit on the number of pupils grammar schools can take on that basis.
Yesterday, the SDLP said a new post-primary transfer test for schoolchildren in NI would be a "climb-down". Now, the SDLP's Dominic Bradley has said the new move had the hallmarks of a DUP/Sinn Féin deal.
In counterpoint, Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd - who become Sinn Fein's Education Spokesman in a minor reshuffle last week - said Ms Ruane was setting out a clear way forward.
Last week he poured cold water on any idea of Ms Ruane being replaced over the 11-plus issue.
Speaking after his appointment as party spokesman, Mr O'Dowd said plans for what will replace academic selection would not change, no matter who is the minister: "It wouldn't matter who our Education Minister is, the proposals that Caitríona is bringing forward will remain the same.
"Caitríona Ruane will remain our Minister of Education, she will be carrying through these proposals," he said.
Ms Ruane will outline her plans on Thursday to the Northern Ireland Executive at Stormont.
See: Selection Row Won't Displace Ruane: Sinn Féin
(BMcC)
After months of insisting that there would be no return to the axed 11-plus, NI Education Minister Caitríona Ruane today revealed her 'new' plan - to continue academic selection for another three years.
Last December, Ms Ruane announced that the test, commonly known as the 11-plus, would come to an end in 2008.
However, the Sinn Fein Minister is now insisting that she still had a "vision that there will be no academic selection" and she was prepared to take the steps needed to achieve that, and therefore her plan to continue academic selection for another three years was a "difficult move".
In a speech to grammar and secondary school principals, the Minister also referred to personal criticism of her, but turned this into her "thanks" to everyone "for adding to the debate".
And, while she said there cannot be a "Transfer Test Mark II" and that she hoped academic selection will soon be seen as an "historical anomaly", the new tests would nevertheless be developed and marked by the NI Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
She is now proposing this form of testing to continue for the three years, but to impose a new limit on the number of pupils grammar schools can take on that basis.
Yesterday, the SDLP said a new post-primary transfer test for schoolchildren in NI would be a "climb-down". Now, the SDLP's Dominic Bradley has said the new move had the hallmarks of a DUP/Sinn Féin deal.
In counterpoint, Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd - who become Sinn Fein's Education Spokesman in a minor reshuffle last week - said Ms Ruane was setting out a clear way forward.
Last week he poured cold water on any idea of Ms Ruane being replaced over the 11-plus issue.
Speaking after his appointment as party spokesman, Mr O'Dowd said plans for what will replace academic selection would not change, no matter who is the minister: "It wouldn't matter who our Education Minister is, the proposals that Caitríona is bringing forward will remain the same.
"Caitríona Ruane will remain our Minister of Education, she will be carrying through these proposals," he said.
Ms Ruane will outline her plans on Thursday to the Northern Ireland Executive at Stormont.
See: Selection Row Won't Displace Ruane: Sinn Féin
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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26 June 2008
Bishops Question 11+ Strategy
Catholic bishops have accused The NI Education Minister Caitriona Ruane of creating "fear, uncertainty and instability" by her lack of clarity on proposals for school selection. The northern bishops say they are disappointed that, as another school year ends, key aspects of the Stormont Minister's plans remain unclear.
Bishops Question 11+ Strategy
Catholic bishops have accused The NI Education Minister Caitriona Ruane of creating "fear, uncertainty and instability" by her lack of clarity on proposals for school selection. The northern bishops say they are disappointed that, as another school year ends, key aspects of the Stormont Minister's plans remain unclear.
28 January 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.
'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.
02 February 2009
Ruane Plan For Poorer Children To Access Grammar Schools
Children entitled to free school meals are to make up at least 20% of all those being admitted to grammar schools. The news comes as Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has issued guidelines on the transfer of pupils from primary schools from 2010.
Ruane Plan For Poorer Children To Access Grammar Schools
Children entitled to free school meals are to make up at least 20% of all those being admitted to grammar schools. The news comes as Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has issued guidelines on the transfer of pupils from primary schools from 2010.
23 June 2008
Most NI People Opposed To Scrapping 11+
Some 60% of people in Northern Ireland - including one-third of Sinn Fein supporters - are opposed to Caitriona Ruane's plans to scrap the 11-plus, according to a new survey.
Most NI People Opposed To Scrapping 11+
Some 60% of people in Northern Ireland - including one-third of Sinn Fein supporters - are opposed to Caitriona Ruane's plans to scrap the 11-plus, according to a new survey.
19 March 2008
Derry School Takes 11 Plus Into Own Hands
A leading grammar school has said it will introduce it’s own '11 plus' exam if plans to scrap academic selection go ahead as proposed. Lumen Christi College in Co Londonderry has said it will introduce its own 11 plus-style selection test when the education reforms are implemented next year.
Derry School Takes 11 Plus Into Own Hands
A leading grammar school has said it will introduce it’s own '11 plus' exam if plans to scrap academic selection go ahead as proposed. Lumen Christi College in Co Londonderry has said it will introduce its own 11 plus-style selection test when the education reforms are implemented next year.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
