A group of educationalists in Northern Ireland has been given the task of finding an alternative to the controversial 11-plus, it was announced yesterday.
The Education Minister, Ms Jane Kennedy, announcing the establishment of a new working group, said it would report back in October with recommendations for the future of post-primary education. However, she confirmed that pupils currently in P5 and P6 would sit the transfer tests. Her decision follows consultation on the Burns Report which proposed scrapping the annual tests and ending academic selection.
Ms Kennedy said that, having considered carefully the responses to the report, she felt the best way forward was to use the experience and knowledge of those in teaching.
The group, which will be chaired by Mr Stephen Costello, chairman of the Northern Ireland General Consumer Council and the Blood Transfusion Service, will include members from education and library boards, the various school sectors and the main churches. The Minister has made £500,000 additional funding available to facilitate the work of the group. The aims of the group will include:
Developing alternative transfer procedures with a view to the current transfer tests being withdrawn as soon as practicable.
Development of a pupil profile to inform parental and pupil choice.
Access for all young people to a broader curriculum.
Greater co-operation and collaboration between schools and the further education sector.