The division between Northern Ireland's political parties when it comes to the school transfer issue have been highlighted during a heated debate in the Assembly.

The Ulster Unionists, SDLP, DUP and Alliance Party have all agreed to take part in all-party “preparatory discussions” this week in a bid to agree on a new method of school transfer.

However, yesterday afternoon's debate on grammar school tests shows that there is a long way to go before a final agreement is likely to be reached on the way forward.

The four parties are all backing the Belfast Telegraph's ‘Sit Down, Sort It Out' campaign which is calling for Executive talks focused on reaching a resolution in time for the children currently in P6 to transfer.

However, Sinn Fein has refused to back the petition so far, saying it does not “dictate party policy on the basis of the latest editorial stance of a news organisation”.

The Telegraph's petition was mentioned throughout the debate.

Opening the debate, UUP education spokesman Basil McCrea said: “It is no surprise that the Belfast Telegraph has launched a petition that urges all of us to come together and find a solution because, put simply, the situation at which we have arrived is the worst of all possible worlds.

“It satisfies no one, it puts huge stress on children and it takes an awful lot of time away from teachers and headmasters, who, others will argue, could be doing something else.

“We are now at the stage at which we need considered reflection about what we can do to find a way forward for our children and the people of Northern Ireland.”

Alliance Party spokesman Trevor Lunn pleaded with Sinn Fein to sign up for talks.

He said: “I do not see what harm it would do to its cause by coming to the table and putting its case along with the other parties. I encourage Sinn Féin to think again about that.”

DUP education spokesman Mervyn Storey said: “I remind Members that almost 13,000 parents in this country have decided that, for the best interests of their child, he or she will go to a school that sets an entrance test.”

And he warned: “I assure the minister that if she thinks that this issue is over and done with, she has another thing coming.”

The SDLP's Dominic Bradley said: “It is well-known that the SDLP sees academic selection as educationally unsound and socially unacceptable.

“However, we realise that movement from one system to another cannot be done overnight and requires a planned and structured transition.

“A firm and acceptable solution will be found only when all parties agree on a long-term vision for the future of education in the North.”

The SDLP's Mary Bradley, a member of the education committee, said: “Headlines and media reports tell of mass confusion; parties dithering over talks to end the logjam; politicians playing party politics with the education system; and, worst of all, the issue having gone right to the Assembly floor and the message still having not got through.

“I assure the House that the SDLP is not dithering. We want to see an end to this fiasco. However, it is unhelpful for the minister to simply reiterate a decision has been made and that is that.”

Sinn Fein education spokesman John O'Dowd said: “The ball is rolling down the hill. Change is here. Let us stop throwing lifelines to the grammar school sector.”

And in relation to our campaign, he said: “All-party talks are one thing, but our party will not allow the editorial staff of any news organisation to dictate our policy and timetable.”

And Education Minister Caitriona Ruane reiterated her intention to move ahead with her plans.

She said: “Let me be absolutely clear and unambiguous: the 11-plus is gone, the 11-plus is not coming back in any shape or form. The new arrangements are now in place, they will not be reversed.”

The motion put forward by Basil McCrea, which called on Ms Ruane to establish a statutory framework for grammar school entrance tests until new literacy and numeracy tests are devised by CCEA, was carried by 43 votes to 41.