Governors at Northern Ireland's so-called rebel grammar schools could end up
in court if they press ahead with plans to set their own selection tests,
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has warned.
A total of 31 colleges have agreed to set up a company to run a transfer
test in place of the 11-Plus. It will operate the entrance exam when the
current academic selection process is scrapped next year.
Ms Ruane said: "A small minority of elitist grammar schools are not
going to dictate policy for 229 post primary schools in the north of Ireland.
"What I am warning about is that boards of governors could find
themselves spending most of their time in courts following litigation. With
the 11-Plus there is 1,100 appeals every year and currently those are funded
by the Department but it has no statutory duty."
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