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Call for ideas on way forward on school transfer
Friday, 9 October 2009
Compromise proposals should be brought forward by all of the main political parties to school transfer talks next week, according to the SDLP.
The party’s education spokesman Dominic Bradley called on his Assembly colleagues to bring forward their ideas on how to break the logjam as the parties prepare for the important meeting on Wednesday.
Less than three weeks after the launch of our Sit Down, Sort It Out petition was launched, the SDLP, Ulster Unionists, DUP and Alliance Party will get together for "preparatory talks".
Plans for the meeting to take place this week failed because some of the education spokesmen could not find the time.
Sinn Fein has also been invited to the talks but it is unlikely that party education spokesman John O’Dowd will attend.
Our campaign is calling for Executive talks focused on reaching agreement on a new method of transfer in time for the children currently in P6 to move to secondary-level schools.
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has issued admissions criteria guidance for schools but 68 schools are defying her advice and have instead established their own entrance exams for P7 pupils.
More than 13,700 registrations have been received for the two grammar testing systems with some pupils due to sit five exam papers on Saturdays.
Sinn Fein is the only one of the main political parties to refuse to back our petition— stating it does not "dictate party policy on the basis of the latest editorial stance of a news organisation".
Meanwhile, hundreds of signatures are continuing to be added to our petition every day. Attached to one bundle of names posted into the Telegraph was a note that read: "I hope this works! I am a P7 teacher at my absolute wits’ end trying to cope with this situation."
Mr Bradley said he hoped all of the parties would attend the talks.
"The talks should seek an interim compromise to solve the immediate problems of unregulated testing and uncertainty, leading to a viable long-term solution which must be based on best educational practice," he said.
"The interim solution proposed by the SDLP would provide for a transfer test to be available for a maximum for two years from next year.
"It would mean schools that choose to use a test for now would all use the same CCEA curriculum-based test previously proposed and then retracted by Minister Ruane.
"No schools would be permitted to use their own independent tests.
"This would enable educators — those with greatest experience of the issue — to lead the way in producing a solution not involving any form of academic solution to put in place in two years time."
During an Assembly debate this week a motion was carried by 43 votes to 41 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. However, Ms Ruane pledged to continue with her plans to remove academic selection from all schools.
UUP education spokesman Basil McCrea said: "The minister has, disappointingly, yet again refused to listen to the Assembly. This would not happen in any other parliamentary democracy.
"This does not, unfortunately, bode well for all-party talks. Despite this, the UUP will engage positively in the talks.
"The only way the minister can be brought into line is if the Executive agrees on this issue.
"We would like to see everything put on the table for discussion."
To add your name to the petition, go to www.belfasttelegraph.|co.uk/education or cut out and sign the petition on this page.
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It is unfortunate that in a panicked effort to "sort out" the consequences of the Sinn Fein diktat parents are willing to sacrifice control of their children's education to a pointless, muddled, disingenuous campaign. Note the various comments from MLAs quoted in the flood of articles generated by the BT. The SDLP say "No schools would be permitted to use their own independent tests.
Sounds like Sinn Fein policy. The UUP say "we are not wedded to the 11-plus and want a Pupil Profile with Incas" Sounds like Sinn Fein policy. The Alliance Party's amendment to a motion in the Assembly last week on grammar school entrance tests failed.
Waken up. The return of the 11-plus is the only solution. Everything else is capitulation and will lead to a further lowering of standards. Do not say you have not been warned.
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 15.10.09, 21:14 GMT
Parental Alliance: what parents want is for their children not to subject to test after test. The 11 + has been removed some mlas want it back others don't they have been debating on this issue for too long and the stand off has been going on for too long. They need to stop the debate and sort out at the very least a temporary solution for this years p6 children. Then they can fight it out for another year. We need to protect the children, for those who think the 11+ was bad how do you feel about a child sitting 2 tests on 1 day and 5 tests over 4 saturdays it's a bit much don't you think. Politicians are a joke if they're not making up fake expenses while the rest of us suffer the credit crunch they are destroying the education system. Now heres a message for all the parties involved, get up of your lazy behinds an earn your large salary and listen to the voters and the taxpayers that pay that rather large salary. hows that for emotional!!!! Parental Alliance
Posted by sineadmccabe emotional parent | 13.10.09, 09:56 GMT
I must agree with sinead. The grammar schools are in a no win situtaion here. the 11+ was better than what we have sinead has a right to be emotional I've read her comments and her daughter is going through these tests, my child is in p6 and I really don't want my child to go to a strange school every saturday for 3wks its a disgrace. We can debate all day on the 11+ issue. What sinead is saying is that in the absence of the 11+ let's not let it affect the kids 1 test for all would do for now did I not read on the bbc that the mlas bar sinn fein had agreed and that ccea would be happy to make such a test. parental alliance I think you were totally wrong for saying sinead is emotional like its a bad thing maybe if the mlas and sinn fein had more emotion they would stop and think that their is a lot of young children going through more than they have to because of their lack of agreement.
Posted by vicky | 13.10.09, 09:30 GMT
Parental Alliance: I would like to inform you that I am not confused, emotional not confused maybe you would be to if you had a child that is in p7. Let me tell you I seen nothing wrong with the old system, people who don't want their to sit it opt out. The 11+ was better than what this years p7 face. I have 3 children and I would have let my p 7 daughter sit the 11+ and i am letting her sit the new entrance exam but I will not be letting my eldest son do it, as it is not right for him he would struggle and I feel it would be unfair on him. I want my daughter to attend an all girls school and the best one in my area happens to be a grammar there is a great secondary but my child is not on free meals and has no older sister and does not attend a feeder primary so she has no chance of going there. my husband and I should decide what school our children go to. I don't care if the bring back the 11+ but is there a need to let our children suffer while they decide.
Posted by sineadmccabe | 13.10.09, 09:17 GMT
Sinead is confused on the fundamental issues here and is letting an emotional argument get in the way of logical thinking. Academic selection by testing (11-plus) is a principle. It cannot be turned on and off like a switch. Either you agree with the principle or you do not - there is no middle ground (or compromise if you prefer that word). The test format is something else. Suggesting that a form of delayed suicide for grammar schools is welcome can hardly be acceptable to those parents of children in P 3 or P2. even if Sinead thinks it suits her purposes. The minister withdrew her test because the unionist MLAs refused the assisted suicide offer. Unless the Minister restores the 11-plus there can be no happy ending. Sorry Sinead
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 12.10.09, 20:26 GMT
to sean I went to many meetings at the grammars schools and I have to say they didn't opt for their own tests lightly they had no real choice. I went to meetings where the grammar schools told parents we are waiting on the go head from the minster to use her test. The minster had a test that she was going to let the grammar schools use for 3 years the grammar schools were happy to use this test but as usual the minster and the mlas could not agree so Ms Ruane withdrew the test and refused to let the schools use it. So at the last minute they had to make up their own tests. Ms Ruane should have let the children use this test while the assembly tried to agree a way forward.
Posted by sineadmccabe | 12.10.09, 10:00 GMT
I totally agree with Sinead, Ms Ruane has played with my daughters life, and thousands of other children like her. How dare she dictate to parents about what school their child should go to. I say get her out out out, she is an absoulate disgrace, and sinn fein should be hanging their heads in shame.
Posted by Nicola | 09.10.09, 21:35 GMT
Catriona Ruane is a doing a good job under difficult circumstances. The grammar school lobby are a powerful enemy and have used every dirty trick and lie in their armoury to undermine her.
Posted by Sean | 09.10.09, 19:22 GMT
Totally agree with the comments from sinead - this situation is now beyond a joke and the polititians need to stand together against this woman and the decisions she is making that go against what the majority of people in NI want. As a parent of a P7 pupil, it is too late for us, but this cannot continue for future children.
Get this woman out NOW!!
Posted by C | 09.10.09, 13:30 GMT
If there is no agreement made next week all parents should get together protest as 1 voice. It is clear the minster is have a problem hearing all our little voices, maybe if together singing the same tune she will sit up and listen. I have tried for a year I have even written to Ms Ruane every week for 9 months but its a waste of time she doesn't think she has a problem. This woman is a disgrace to politics.
LETS PUT A STOP TO HURRICANE CAITRIONA!!!!!
Posted by sineadmccabe | 09.10.09, 10:47 GMT
If Ms Ruane will not listen or be involved in any talks then she should be disciplined she shouldn't be allowed to do this. If everyone agrees to use the 1 test for 2 years then thats what should happen, surely that is better than 2 more years of chaos. If Ms Ruane can't agree with everyone including parents and teachers then she should be over ruled if she is breaking the rules of the assembly then get her out of that job she is useless. I hate what she has done to my child who has no choice but to sit the private entrance exam as she meets non of the criteria that Ms Ruane has devised, and as she is not in in the area of all of the good secondary schools in my area she has no chance. The is an all ablity school near my area but there is no way in hell she is going there. It seems the only way to benefit from Ms Ruanes criteria is do leave work and go on benefits.
Posted by sineadmccabe | 09.10.09, 09:56 GMT