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Ruane to spell out school transfer plans
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane is set to present the Executive with a plan to end the bitter row over replacing the 11-Plus, it emerged today.
The minister has already plotted a three-year phasing out of the transfer test, but her party Sinn Fein has yet to agree a comprehensive blueprint for the future with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Today it emerged that in the absence of agreement, Ms Ruane will hand ministers a paper on the issue revealing her decision on how best to move forward.
"It is now time for clarity and a decision on the replacing of the 11-Plus," a Sinn Fein source said today.
There had, they said, been a prolonged consultation with key stakeholders and political parties.
"But parents, teachers and children need a clear decision," they added.
"It is now time to bring the discussion to a conclusion."
The minister is to circulate a policy memorandum on post primary transfer among Executive colleagues.
The minister hopes to have the matter discussed at Thursday's Executive meeting where she will seek ministerial approval for regulations.
It is understood talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein have failed to agree a deal on the issue, despite growing concern among parents and teachers.
Sinn Fein said the DUP had so far failed to discuss the issue properly.
The party added: "It is our belief that we can now move forward decisively and quickly in the interests of all our children."
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now! our catholic children will be hit with two papers, with a curriculum that is not wholly covered in northern ireland and is a national curriculum of england & wales. Material that is completely inappropriate in terms of content, structure & format.It will be impossible to be accurately tested. It is impossible for these children to be prepared for tests that are not based on the northern ireland curriculum.The fact that these children will also be in an alien enviorment to them when taking these tests gives me grave concern for my child. Icannot believe that the primary sector people and areas they are comfotable with are being shut out from this! This is now critical we urgently need this changed all these children are at huge risk.
Avery concerned parent.
Posted by denise houlahan | 28.04.09, 17:14 GMT
It's time that Ms ruane was replaced an a new Education Minister installed. I don't think that she has support from anuone and has simply caused confusion. Why is Ms Ruane trying to fix something that is not broke?
Posted by James. | 28.01.09, 02:11 GMT
I think its time for her to go as the 11+ might not have worked but there should be some sort of selection so are children can have a good education.
Posted by me1970 | 27.01.09, 22:33 GMT
What is the betting she will go for the old "Our dog ate my homework" ploy?
Posted by Willis | 27.01.09, 22:10 GMT
what an utter disgrace this Executive is turning out to be. If a decision is not reached now both the DUP and Sinn Fein should be held accountable. It's time for NI people to unite with a common demand to put an end to this shameful situation once and for all
Posted by Michele | 27.01.09, 18:58 GMT
Executive support for what Chris? You haven't seen the proposal yet.
You must be one of the many (including those in power) who won't support it purely because it's a Sinn Fein minister's proposal. I'm no Sinn Fein supporter, but I'd hear her proposal before I dismiss them. Then again I'm not a bigot!
Posted by Mark | 27.01.09, 16:51 GMT
She probably will get slaughtered and will probably retort by suggesting she is being victimised because of her religion or because of the party she represents. The old "bigot card" oft used by her ilk. Yawn.
Posted by mickey | 27.01.09, 16:42 GMT
Lets see if DUP have this safe guard they keep telling us about from St Andrews... this will be interesting!! I think the only outcome of this is it will force the hand of those who have been sitting on the fence - like CCMS. At least something will come of it. I have a feeling my children still in primary may well have to go to a non CCMS school if there aren't going to be any more grammar schools. Ironic it is Catholic Education Week!!
Posted by Disgusted Parent | 27.01.09, 16:29 GMT
ChrisM you are so right! If I had taken this long to do a job when I worked for local governmeent I would have been out on my ear! How on earth has this person (who has constantly refused to reveal her master plan) managed to stay in offive? Remove Ruane, Remove Ruane!
Posted by Centaur | 27.01.09, 16:09 GMT
I cannot believe the Minister has been allowed to get away with this for so long. Her determination to toe the Party line and get rid of the 11+ with no thought going into the replacement process. There is a reason why we finish top in the GCSE & A Level league tables in the UK each year. That is because our system works. If it's not broke don't try to fix it just because your Party does not like it.
I cannot wait until it gets thrown out of the Assembly, but I still feel sorry for the children and parents that are caught up in this disgrase.
Posted by Len | 27.01.09, 16:07 GMT
The transfer test works and as for Ruane's argument that the system was unfair is simply proposterous as Ulster grammar schools will just replace the test with their own entrance exams. Ruane as minister is a joke. This is not an attack on Sinn Fein as i can think of many members of the other parties that would be unfit for the position. The 11+ needs to be maintained!
Posted by Andrew McDowell | 27.01.09, 15:56 GMT
we cant move forward on any subject it would appear. can someone please tell me what the DUP and Sinn Fein do agree on, I genuinely dont know.
Posted by what | 27.01.09, 15:35 GMT
'There had, they said, been a prolonged consultation with key stakeholders and political parties.' What nonsense!
'Today it emerged that in the absence of agreement, Ms Ruane will hand ministers a paper on the issue revealing her decision on how best to move forward.' Her decision!!! Dictator Ruane.
Posted by T J McClean | 27.01.09, 15:26 GMT
In '' Stormont Live '' B B C 2 to-day Sinn Fein, M L A John O ' Dowd, tried to explain the guidance policy by Caitriona Ruane to be discussed by the Executive this Thursday.
Two quotations will suffice: ''It was the D U P who done that'' and it ''has went through.''
Posted by George | 27.01.09, 15:17 GMT
Cant wait to watch this on Stormont live.She is going to get slaughtered and rightly so."it is time to bring the discussion to a conclusion." You are so right.Resign and let someone with a brain take over.You will never get executive support for this.
Posted by ChrisM | 27.01.09, 14:55 GMT