SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said it is clear that academic selection is not delivering for our young people.

He was speaking after a Stranmillis College study revealed that the cancellation of transfer tests in 2021 made little difference to the pupil intake of grammar schools.

The SDLP has long been campaigning for an end to academic selection in the North.

During the last mandate, an SDLP motion to replace the current system with one which prioritised educational excellence for all without academic selection was passed by Stormont.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said:

“For well over a decade the SDLP has been calling for an end to academic selection at schools across the North. It has been proven time and time again that the current system does not deliver the best results for all our young people, or a level playing field that enables each and every pupil to realise their full potential in an environment that best suits their needs.

“This research from Noel Purdy and his team at Stranmillis College shows that the issues we are experiencing are not as simple as ending the transfer test. If we are truly to address the problems in our education system then we need a cultural change that compels schools to treat every pupil equally based on their own unique abilities and talents.

“We cannot continue to support a system that leaves young people behind based on their background, their special educational needs or a test which puts enormous pressure on them at the ages of 10 and 11-years-old. What we need to see is reform and investment across our education system that creates equality of opportunity and the chance for every young person to be the best that they can be.”