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Transfer maze: A lesson from the Republic

David Hopkins says we should look at the Republic’s education system for some pointers

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

In the New Year, the parents of every sixth class student in the Republic will drop their son or daughter off at their prospective secondary school.

They will have explained to their young scholars that their English, Irish and Maths entrance exams are nothing to worry about and that the results will never be known.

With a place in the secondary school guaranteed, the parents will return home satisfied that their child’s educational path has already been laid out.

Compare that to the experience of their Northern Ireland counterparts, who this winter will have to study hard just to determine what path is available to them and how best to navigate the many new obstacles that have been thrown in their way.

For those parents who opt for schools with the newly-established AQE or GL entrance exams, the stress begins now.

When should my child begin studying? Do I need to hire a tutor? Is the primary school providing the preparation necessary for my child?

For those who do not opt for these schools, in line with Minister Ruane’s recommendation, there will be that constant worry that they have not best served their child.

In the past 20 years, successive Ministers of Education in the South have reaffirmed (legally and otherwise) the idea that academic selection is unacceptable.

The arguments are simple. A once-off assessment of a student’s aptitude for English and Maths should not determine the educational institution that child is assigned to, especially when you consider the world of education has long recognised the multitude of intelligences that should be rewarded.

Second, the culture of failure cultivated among 10 and 11-year-olds has consequences far beyond the transition between primary and secondary education. And, third, studies in the Republic and in Norway show that academic selection strangles ambition in those schools that accept lower grades in the entrance exams and creates a tradition of under achievement.

Even more worrying is the awkward limbo that Northern Ireland’s education system now finds itself in. The abolition of the 11+ exam and the rise of the AQE and GL exams have further exacerbated the religious divide. Principals, students and parents already refer to the ‘Catholic’ test and the ‘Protestant’ test. What hope is there for an educated integrated society when the education structures themselves seem to promote both academic and religious division?

The South has often been accused of not supporting the needs of gifted students —perhaps a consequence of non-academic selection.

However, this is being combated through the development of the Centre for Talented Youth and through the revolution of teacher training.

The needs of every student — from those with learning difficulties through to those with exceptional talents — are being diagnosed and aided in every school. While the evolution of these programmes is taking time, the sentiment and philosophy demonstrate that every school can represent diversity and cope with the challenges that arise from it.

Supporters of academic selection claim that schools are better equipped to deal with the specific demands of students with common abilities. However this, like the streaming of students into hierarchical classes, often pigeon-holes a student’s potential.

Learning from the mistakes and successes of the Republic’s experience, the advice I would give to parents worried about the choices they have to make is this: In the partnership that is education, the most important person is you, the parent.

You drive your child’s ambition, you’re responsible for your child’s attitude towards education, you’re the pivotal care structure that comforts and supports, challenges and assists. You are the taxi service, the caterer, the barrister, the psychologist, the role model and the parent.

Ms Ruane may have made all those jobs a little bit tougher this year but that just challenges you to once again step up to the mark.

The premium that Northern Ireland society, and in particular Northern Ireland parents, has always placed on education is responsible for your success to date, not academic selection.

As a teacher, I am constantly reminded that the endeavours of parents are the instigator and motivator of my students’ success and I’m indebted to them for that.

David Hopkins teaches English and History in Colaiste na hInse in Co Meath

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Obviously Education is the main reason why we send our kids to school but one thing that is different is that the children that attend Grammar schools in the North and Private schools in the South generally come from a better social background and therefore would generally do better in life anyway regardless of their exam results. I am sure if you looked at the sports played at the Private schools in the South you would find that they play Rugby just like the Grammar schools in the North. The point of academic selection is so that people from lesser social backgrounds have a chance to go to school and become better off instead of being held back in a Comprehensive school. The problem with all of this is the fact that Catriona Ruane went to school in the Republic and has no idea how the school system works up here, I would like to see the reception someone in the DUP would get if they tried to change the Education system in the Republic.

Posted by Michael Falkes | 19.09.09, 14:57 GMT

One of many advantages to the Republic.

Posted by JerryF | 17.09.09, 04:03 GMT

Very true. David's right, the parents are pivitol but only when they do step up to the mark as Ed said. I think the article is nicely balanced and it's right when it says that the North's success is down to the permium on education. My son goes to school in the South while his cousins go to school in Derry and and Academic selection has placed the cousins in schools away from their friends, they hate it and aren't adapting. I hope we get more Ed perspectives from Mr. Hopkins, at least so that we might see that like someone else said we might have an all island response.

Posted by Simon M | 16.09.09, 21:14 GMT

Yes, I would agree with David's article as indeed the parent is pivitol but, unfortunately, too many parents are not responsible enough to care for their children.
The pressure felt by young people is often instigated by parents and is not from within.

Posted by Ed | 15.09.09, 23:29 GMT

I can vouch for all that is said in this article. I am a teacher in N.Ireland but live in the Repubic. My children go to school in the Republic. From first hand experience I can honestly say that the system in the South is better. My son will go to our local secondary school along with his neighbours and friends without academic selection being an issue. I see in my own school the negative effects of selection and am so relieved that my own children do not have to endure the educational travesty that is selection

Posted by John | 15.09.09, 20:21 GMT

We need a common educational system on this island, one that addresses the needs of all our children, awakens their innate intelligence, develops thinking and challenging minds capable of informed thought and one that gives the children of this island an advantage over the island next to us, so that OUR children get the good jobs as prospective employers/investors realise the worth and value of an Irish education. We must studiously avoid the race to the bottom in educational terms which has been taking place in Britain over the last 15-20 years, resulting in increasing numbers of school leavers ending up functionally illiterate and without qualification. Economically, a common and improved system that applies throughout the island would be a great boon to this island and its future prosperity.

Posted by Antaine | 15.09.09, 18:02 GMT

Well republic continue to outshine UK OECD education reports even if you just count N.Ireland statistics.

Yes fees are a barrier to the 48 private schools in the country. There are 750 second level schools and the public schools out perform most private schools! See you're thinking of it as a hierarchy, that the fee paying schools are better and therefore it's awful that not everyone can get in, but these schools aren't statistically better and parents usually choose them for their ethos or tradition. you are picking on the exception rather than the rule.

Posted by Tim Smith | 15.09.09, 14:53 GMT

That's exactly what I'm getting at and you couldn't see it. If you can't afford the fees, don't enter the lottery..........................

Don't see the entry requirements based on free school meals or ability there.....

So what can we learn from the Republic......oh yes..............Model for NI education system in 10 years...................

Posted by SM | 15.09.09, 13:43 GMT

No sir, you register for a lottery (if you dont have any other siblings in the school) and if you are chosen you pay for the private education. However the 9 top achievers in the junior certificate results only contained one from a private school. So the mixed ability students in the public school system out perform their private counterparts often. Chosing the private school system to target isn't really very clever.

Posted by Tim Smith | 15.09.09, 13:21 GMT