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Heads’ fury at Ruane letter
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
School principals today reacted with anger to a letter from Caitriona Ruane criticising them for speaking out publicly about their mounting frustration at the lack of information on her transfer plans.
The Education Minister penned the letter after reading the article in the Belfast Telegraph last month — however, she still has not written a letter which she promised in February she would send to all parents and teachers, “given the scaremongering in the media”.
Ms Ruane’s two-page document was sent to David McCartney (principal of Brooklands Primary in Dundonald), Geraldine Regan, (principal of St Columba's Primary School, Straw, Co Londonderry) and Wilma McMaster, (parent of a P6 pupil and chair of the board of governors at Fair Hill Primary in Kinallen, Co Down).
Ms Ruane wrote: “I was surprised, and a little disappointed, to read the comments relating to my proposals for changes to transfer arrangements attributed to you in the Belfast Telegraph.”
She said she has given numerous public statements on her proposals for new post-primary arrangements — which involve the phasing out of academic selection over three years.
The Minister also warned that if she does not receive the support needed for a legislative approach “then transfer in 2010 will be unregulated”.
She concluded: “I believe that by working together we can build an education system that helps you ensure our young people are able to meet the demands and challenges of a rapidly changing world.”
David McCartney, who was pictured with his P6 class on the front page of the Telegraph and confirmed then that he still plans to prepare his pupils for a test, said: “I was disgusted when I received the letter. I couldn't believe it. I am going to write back to the Minister and will ask if she is going to write to each of the children who appeared in the newspaper as well.
“What she wrote about her proposals in her letter just regurgitates what she has said before. However, they are just proposals and will not get through the Executive.
“We are still left in limbo and the bottom line is that we still do not know what is going to happen next year. It does not seem to get through to the Minister that we need years of advance notice to change the system. After the last article I had many calls of support from other schools agreeing that what we were saying about the confusion had to be said.”
Mrs McMaster said: “I was rather surprised in the middle of all this educational chaos that the Minister of Education had time to send me a letter.
“As an individual I was just giving my personal view in a democratic society. This view is shared by many parents of children at primary school.”
And Mrs Regan said: “I was more than surprised and a little disappointed to receive a letter from the minister in response to my comments.
“While I was grateful for the minister's clarification of the situation, I certainly did not appreciate the reprimanding tone of the letter.
“I attended a public meeting with Caitriona Ruane in Draperstown just a couple of weeks ago at which she tried to explain what was happening. I was none the wiser after this meeting and I cannot understand why the minister was not as clear in explaining her intentions that night as she is in this letter.
“The minister also seems to miss the point that I don't oppose what she is trying to do. I am not a fan of academic selection so that is not why I spoke out.
“I was merely trying to convey the widespread confusion and frustration among teachers, parents and children. I don't need to be reminded about the importance of helping children reach their fullest potential.”
Ulster Unionist education spokesman Basil McCrea said: “These people were very brave to come forward and speak out. It is outrageous for any politician to say to the people that they cannot voice their opinion. If the Minister plans to force her proposals through, this will be a recipe for disaster.”
Ms Ruane wants grammar schools to select 50% of their pupils based on their academic ability in 2010, 30% for the intake in 2011 and 20% in 2012. In 2013 all admissions would be based on non-academic criteria. However, her ministerial colleagues refused to discuss this proposal during a heated executive meeting in May.
Last month the Minister announced she would “take action” against schools who skew their teaching away from the curriculum to help pupils prepare for an entrance exam being set by 30 grammar schools.
A Department of Education spokesman said the minister was seeking a legislative framework for her plans, “developed to bring much-needed reform to the post-primary system — but they are also compromise proposals that allow for time and transition”.
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Caitriona Ruane has her needs sorted out (child at grammar school) but wants as Minister for Education to dictate to the rest of us on how her imposed comprehensive system will solve her (but not our) ideological problem. She is of course only carrying out the will of her puppetmasters. David McCartney couldn't solve the problems but I suggest Bob McCartney could. Pity the electorate rejected him for this shower of incompetents.
Posted by UK Unionist parent | 16.10.08, 14:44 GMT
For how much longer are we, as parents of P6 children, prepared to stand by and listen to Ms Ruanes's rhetoric? Our only option is to join together, march on Stormont, and demand information, answers, resignations - whatever it takes to establish what our children will have to deal with next year.
She is able to ignore our individual requests for information, but will have to respond to us as a group.
If you are interested in doing something - post a comment, and perhaps we can motivate others also.
Like many others, I am open to discussions on an alternative to selection, but in this vacuum the emotional/ psychological well-being of my 10 year old son is under threat. What about his human rights?
Posted by Jayne Bassett (parent and school governor) | 16.10.08, 13:37 GMT
Well said Centaur & Cm
As the parents of 3 children cared for by David McCartney we can honestly say that as a school principle the job that he does and the dedication he bestows upon his pupils is second to none. We can truly say that he definitely would do a better job than Ms Ruane and we know for a fact that he would provide the quality of education that each child in Northern Ireland deserves.
N & C Kirkwood
Posted by N Kirkwood | 16.10.08, 00:02 GMT
Ms Ruane, why are we waiting? why? why? why? Teachers, parents and pupils all need to know what to prepare themselves for this time next year. Not just this time, next time, some time never. Anxious parents, teachers and pupils need to know very, very soon, within days or at the most a week. You have had long enough to browse over it check and double check. When can the public be advised of your plans?
Posted by Val the Gal | 15.10.08, 14:17 GMT
How long will the people of Northern Ireland have to enduure Ms Ruane as Education Minister? Surely it must be obvious to every member of The Assembly that she is not fit to hold the postion of Education Minister. Let's get rid of her and put in a competent unioninist or Sinn Fein MP as Eduction Minister.
Posted by MARC | 15.10.08, 01:17 GMT
I should not put this into the public domain but I am aware that Sinn Fein are prepared to pull the Executive down over academic selection. Everyone is aware that we do not have anything close to transparent governance so it is obvious that the parties are debating this issue behind closed doors in a most unsatisfactory manor. I suspect Sinn Fein are using academic selection as a bargaining chip in line with devolution of Policing and justice powers and neither tribal group (for that is what they are - they give politicians a bad name) is prepared to back down or compromise.
I find Ruanes' statement "I believe that by working together we can build an education system that helps you ensure our young people are able to meet the demands and challenges of a rapidly changing world" particularly galling as it is she and her party who are playing political football with our children over this issue.
Ruane wants it all her way, as do the DUP on other issues; there lies the problem.
Posted by M Spence | 14.10.08, 19:54 GMT
Party Politics aside, Ms Ruane is simply Incompetant,
she has not produced any definitive or tangable support
for her own policy.
Posted by P6 Parent | 14.10.08, 17:48 GMT
I was one of many who was delighted when the end of selection was announced, as my child began primary school.
However, I am angry and frustrated by the Minister's glaring inability to handle her brief. I feel bitterly let down. My child is approaching the time when key decisions need to be made and yet no-one is able to offer any guidance.
It surely is a priority to ensure that the transfer process between primary and post-primary school is fair for all children, so that yes, every school can be a good school and every child is educated to their fullest potential.
Shame on the NI Executive for allowing the situation to continue for this long. We need clear, decisive leadership now. No more bullying, or procrastinating. This vacuum will hurt our children and further exacerbate the educational inequalities that have blighted the North for so long.
Posted by Christine | 14.10.08, 17:33 GMT
This situation is so very easily resolved.
Sack Ruane and appoint someone who has a clue as to what they are doing! May I suggest David McCartney?
Posted by Centaur | 14.10.08, 16:49 GMT
The only child I have left in Primary School is four years old, what are the chances of Ms Ruane sorting herself out by then? Zero I think! I hope one of the tools the DUP are using to bargain in respect to Policing in Justice is Academic Selection! If this were any other country Ms Ruane would have been forced to resign by now.
Posted by Ex Sinn Fein Voter | 14.10.08, 16:17 GMT
She really never learns - yet more Sinn Fein bullying, picking on teachers and parents. They may abandon the bullet/bomb but still continue to intimidate/harrass those in our society who are prepared to speak out against them.
Dear Mr Adams, take a hint and find someone competent to be Education Minister, someone who will work by consensus and not your tired old ways.
Posted by Petesy | 14.10.08, 15:46 GMT
At least the minister has now abandoned all attempts to maintain the facade that she and her proposals are child centred. It is "Do as I say" or face unregulation.How child centred is that?
The minister has no thought or concern for the current P6 population, or thier parents.She has no interest in democracy, or freedom of speech.Is this what Sinn Fein bring to Northern Ireland?
Posted by Avril | 14.10.08, 14:09 GMT
They don't want to go criticising Ms Ruane - Sinn Fein will huff.
Posted by Steve | 14.10.08, 14:04 GMT
Well said McCartney! Why can't we have someone like him as our Minister Of Education? . . . Come to think of it, what qualifies the current incumbent to hold the aforementioned position? I would genuinely like to know.
Posted by cm | 14.10.08, 13:47 GMT
Condescending and vague. Unacceptable. Must do better.
0/10 for effort, Ms Ruane...
Posted by PERTURBED PARENT | 14.10.08, 13:40 GMT
As a parent of a child in Primary six I am very concerned that no direction has been achieved. The Minister talks about the need for a legislative approach or else there will be an unregulated test from 2010. What about the children sitting in limbo for next year?
what are they going to be doing???
Posted by Concerned Parent | 14.10.08, 12:35 GMT