Parents still waiting for Ruane letter

Education

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

By Kathryn Torney

Caitriona Ruane has still not written a letter to parents and schools she said she would write in response to "media scaremongering" over the time taken to finalise her plans for a new school transfer system.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph in February, the Education Minister dismissed claims from politicians of serious public concern over the time it is taking to finalise new schools admissions criteria. The last 11-plus test will be sat by pupils this autumn.

Ms Ruane claimed that the media was "scaremongering" and that she would write to all parents and teachers.

She added: "I have already said in general what the admissions criteria will be so parents can be very clear about that. In general they will be based around community, geography and family.

"I will be writing directly to all parents and teachers in schools given the scaremongering in the media."

However, the Department of Education has confirmed that the letter has not been written.

A spokesman said: "The Minister has given a commitment to provide information to parents and will do so at an appropriate time."

In January, the Minister also said that she hoped to put admissions criteria regulations out for 12 weeks of consultation in March or April of this year.

She announced the timescale in a written response to questions from the Assembly's education committee.

A spokesman for the Department of Education said: "The Minister has said she is in the final stages of developing her proposals on post-primary transfer. When this is completed new admission criteria will be published for consultation.

"The Minister is still awaiting a view from the education committee on post-primary transfer."

Committee chairman Sammy Wilson said: "Every deadline the Minister has set herself on every issue she misses.

"Parents do need assurances so you would have thought she would have treated this with some kind of urgency.

"We will not have an agreed committee view to put to the Minister and I don't think she would expect one viewpoint from all of the parties in the committee."

Last week, 30 grammar schools announced their intention to introduce their own common entrance exam. Methodist College in Belfast — is also considering signing up for the tests.

Lumen Christi College in Derry has already confirmed that it plans to set its own entrance test from 2009.

In response to Lumen Christi's plans the Minister said earlier this month: " I find it disappointing that some would wish to maintain the socially divisive transfer test and try to frustrate a much needed process of reform.

"Schools considering a breakaway entrance exam should also be aware of the considerable legal and financial risks they may face if they proceed.

"There is the potential for multiple appeals and litigation aimed at overturning admissions decisions.

"I have made clear that the Department of Education will not fund or support any such entrance exam."