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Putting Children First

Like you we are deeply concerned that eight years after the announcement that the 11 Plus would be abolished, pupils, parents and teachers are in the middle of chaos and deepening confusion.

The unregulated system established by Caitríona Ruane has created the opportunity for at least 58 grammar schools including 28 Catholic grammar schools to retain testing for transfer.

The chaos is having a profound impact on primary schools who are facing pressures from parents to ‘coach’ or ‘prepare’ children for the transfer test.

This is all largely down to the failure of Sinn Féin and the DUP to agree a way forward. It is now well beyond the time for all parties to admit we are in a crisis situation and that the debate surrounding the future of education must be moved beyond the narrow issue of selection and the current Sinn Féin/DUP logjam that is so damaging to our children’s future.

In order to ensure an interim measure and agreed solution can be legislated for and implemented in time to protect children transferring in 2011 work must begin immediately.

Without immediate action it will not be possible to put the necessary processes in place to ensure legislation is passed in time for transfer 2011 children, who could be sitting unregulated exams in November 2010.

Policy Document: Putting Children First

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