Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Party fails memory test on selection
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
The SDLP used to be counted among those who are opposed to academic selection.
However, in their desperation to score political points and to try to undermine a key Sinn Fein project, the SDLP has joined forces with the unionist parties to participate in the Belfast Telegraph-sponsored stunt of regular meetings that have no legitimacy or official standing and to try to jump over the appropriate government and legislative bodies.
These meetings - supposedly about compromise and a way forward for the education reform process based on consensus - have so far produced only a commitment to retaining academic selection and a demand that the Department of Education reintroduce a state-sponsored test.
At a time when educationalists are increasingly vocal and confident in opposing selection, and when the Catholic sector is producing concrete proposals about non-selective transfer and supporting the implementation of the department's transfer guidelines, the SDLP has spinelessly capitulated to the unionist parties' demands and joined them in calling for Education Minister Caitriona Ruane to bring back the discredited 11-Plus.
The unionist parties don't seem to remember refusing to discuss the Education Minister's proposal (in May 2008) to introduce a state-sponsored test for a three-year phase-out period.
And the SDLP don't seem to remember what their position is on the proposal for a temporary state-sponsored test, which they labelled a 'climb-down' by Sinn Fein.
The proposals now backed by the SDLP contain no plan for an end, or alternative, to academic testing.
What is their real position on selection?
AISLING O'SHAUGHNESSY
Belfast
- Text Size
robbo | 21.04.10, 15:42 GMT
Care to identify any of these educationalists who support academic selection? They have been remarkably silent for years. Teachers, for instance, have allowed their unions to collectively suggest that all teachers are anti-selection.
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 26.04.10, 09:38 GMT
mc | 22.04.10, 11:39
'What they need is a change in social attitude to education in these areas that SF claim are so disadvantaged by the 11+.'
Correct.
Posted by T J McClean | 22.04.10, 20:22 GMT
im loving the referal to the "discredited" 11+
Yes the education system that yeilds the best results in the UK is now "discredited".
Under a comprehensive system in England, the National average is that 47% of pupils leave school with only 5 GCSEs at grade C or better.
And that is simply appauling results!
this is not what NI children need.
What they need is a change in social attitude to education in these areas that SF claim are so disadvantaged by the 11+.
Posted by mc | 22.04.10, 11:39 GMT
Bemused a so-called 'temporary fix' was a tactic used by grammar schools in the 1970s, it lasted till this year!
The Catholic grammars argued for time to prepare for the removal of academic selection; NICCE (the owners of the schools) listened then stated they must remove all academic selection by 2013.
While it is legal for schools to use academic selection (just as it's legal to distribute pro abortion literature) Catholic schools have been given a moral lead that they must follow if they wish to remain Catholic!
Political parties ganging up on the Department of Education is a cynical attempt to score some political points at the expense of our children.
Posted by Exasperated | 22.04.10, 11:06 GMT
Aisling,
I notice that you write for An Phoblacht, the 'Sinn Féin Weekly'.
Should you not have declared an interest?
Posted by WH | 21.04.10, 16:18 GMT
At least, Aisling, they are talking and attempting to reach agreement unlike Ms Ruane.
Aisling states that such meetings have no legitimacy but these are elected people and thus they have a mandate to discuss children's future unless you happen to be following the Stalinist doctrine of Ruane.
Additionally, I was not aware that all, or indeed the majority of educationalists, were opposed to selection.
Posted by robbo | 21.04.10, 15:42 GMT
Aisling, the concensus amoung all parties, with the exception of Sinn Fein, is that the current situation is intolerable and that a temporary fix is required until such a time that an agreement is reached. Are you not aware that the Minister's plan does not have the backing of the Education committe? Or do you think that a plan implemented and foisted upon Northern Ireland at the direction of an individual Minister/party is fair to all?
Posted by Bemused | 21.04.10, 14:34 GMT