You are here

Putting Children First

Like you, we are deeply concerned that nine years after the announcement that the 11 Plus would be abolished, pupils, parents and teachers now face even more chaos and confustion.

The unregulated system established by Caitríona Ruane has resulted in the effective privitisation of an unfit for purpose selection test, with several schools electing to opt for academic testing, and two different tests meaning that some children are sitting up to five exams.

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.

We need to address this problem urgently, and ensure that all our children are given the opportunity to thrive and develop in an education system which puts their needs first.

 

Policy Document: Putting Children First

You are here