Sinn Fein has told the Belfast Telegraph it will not comment further on our Sit Down, Sort It Out campaign. However, those living in party leader Gerry Adams’ constituency still have a great deal to say ... as Kathryn Torney discovered

The people of west Belfast have sent a strong message to Sinn Fein today that they want them to sit down with other politicians and sort out the school transfer issue.

On the same day that a Sinn Fein spokesman said they had “no further comment to make” on the Belfast Telegraph’s petition, our campaign garnered strong support in the republican heartland of west Belfast.

Hundreds of parents, trainee teachers, grandparents and other members of the public added their name to the petition which is calling for focused all-party Executive talks on the issue.

It demands that the politicians sit down together to agree on a new form of transfer in time for this year’s P6 pupils moving to secondary-level schools in 2011.

Our campaign does not call for academic selection to be maintained or scrapped — this will be up to the politicians to decide upon. The Ulster Unionists, DUP, SDLP and Alliance Party have all backed the campaign. Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has scrapped the 11-plus and has issued admissions guidance to schools. But this has been dismissed by 68 schools which are running their own entrance tests instead. Almost a year ago Caitriona Ruane came under fire from angry parents and teachers during a public debate on future school transfer arrangements held at St Mary’s University College on the Falls Road.

She was strongly criticised by parents of P6 pupils — whose children are now in P7 and will be the first to transfer under the new unregulated system. One P6 mother walked out of the hall during the discussion, shouting at the minister: “You are failing our kids by the way. Just so you know.” Earlier this week people walking past the teacher training college were among those adding their names to our petition.

The SDLP’s Alex Attwood is an Assembly member for west Belfast and is backing our campaign.

He said that parents and teachers in the area feel angry and confused about the unregulated transfer system.

“Leading up to the European election the issue at the doors was very much school transfer, not Europe. While Sinn Fein are saying they are opting out of the Telegraph’s campaign, I hope they do not opt out of sitting down with the other parties next week to try and find a way forward,” he said.

“This is not the time to walk off the pitch.

“It is the time to sit down and get things sorted.

“We need to get something in place for next autumn and then work on getting something in place for the longer term.”

>> Transfer chaos - sign up to the Belfast Telegraph Online Petition

WHAT THE PEOPLE OF WEST BELFAST SAID. . .

^{By Kathryn Torney, Rachel Quigley and Conor O’Neill}

PARK CENTRE

Anne Kane (41), a housewife from Belfast, said: “My child is in P4 and I'm anxious that something won't be up and in running in time.”

David Thompson (31), an area manager, said: “It's a bit ridiculous that kids are having to go for private tuition. If anything, the new tests set by schools are more discriminating than the old 11-plus.”

Muriel Cafferty (63), a retiree from Belfast, said: “I think Caitriona Ruane has made things worse. Every child deserves the best opportunity to get the best education. I think teachers and parents should know a child's capabilities, and selection should be made on that basis.”

THE KENNEDY CENTRE

Katherine Johnson said: “The education system in this country is second to none, or at least it was until Caitriona Ruane got her hands on it. It’s obvious she has not thought this through.”

Brenda Irwin’s 10-year-old son Tiarnan will be taking the transfer test next month.

She said: “The kids this year are being treated like guinea pigs. Tiarnan’s school aren’t allowed to prepare them for it, it’s ridiculous. No one is telling us anything to be honest and it’s just not fair on the kids.”

Another concerned parent, David Irving, said his son Connor is trying hard to do his best but is under additional pressure.

He said: “The kids are so young to be put under so much pressure.

“Connor always does his best, but things are just extra hard for all the kids now. I really hope they get something sorted soon for the sake of the kids.”

And it wasn’t just parents who stopped to voice their concern. Bronagh Mervyn said: “I don’t have any kids doing the test but I can only imagine what it would be like. Caitriona Ruane has a lot to answer for. It’s not just the parents she is hurting, but the working- class. It’s a disgrace.”

FALLS ROAD

Mother-of-two Gillian Keenan said: “I’m not sure if tests are the right way to do things, but the situation does need to be sorted out.

“I worry that schools could end up going private and a lot of people living on this road could not afford that.”

Housewife Marie McVeagh said: “My grandson is in P7 and sitting the entrance tests this year. These children don’t know where they stand or what is going to happen.

“My grand-daughter is in P6 and the family are really concerned about what is going to happen next year. I would like the Education Minister to get it all sorted out.”

Mother-of-one Jennifer Douglas said: “It is worrying that everything is still very much up in the air.

“What was the point in scrapping the 11-plus when schools are able to set their own tests anyway? It is all very confusing for parents.

“My son is only in nursery school so I really hope that it will all be sorted out in time for him.”