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Area key to post 11-plus plans Area key to post 11-plus plans
(20 minutes later)
Children's post-primary education in Northern Ireland will depend on the area they live in.Children's post-primary education in Northern Ireland will depend on the area they live in.
A central group and five area groups are being set up to focus on education after the end of the 11-plus later this year. A central group and five area groups are being set up to bring forward proposals on the future of education after the end of the 11-plus this year.
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane outlined the proposals in the assembly on Tuesday.Education Minister Caitriona Ruane outlined the proposals in the assembly on Tuesday.
She insisted that she will not be rushed in the decision process, which she claims "is not a shotgun wedding".She insisted that she will not be rushed in the decision process, which she claims "is not a shotgun wedding".
The final 11-plus exam will take place this year, and the education minister has been under pressure to announce what will replace it.The final 11-plus exam will take place this year, and the education minister has been under pressure to announce what will replace it.
The area based groups have been given a deadline of October 2008 to report back on their recommendations. The area-based groups have been given a deadline of October 2008 to report back on their recommendations.
KEY DECISIONS Where schools should be builtHow they can share classesHow more subjects can be offeredHow transport to schools can be made more efficient
Ms Ruane said she has still kept all post-primary options open, the possibilty of transfer at 11 or at 14 "will be different depending on where you live".Ms Ruane said she has still kept all post-primary options open, the possibilty of transfer at 11 or at 14 "will be different depending on where you live".
She said she was not proposing "a one size fits all system".She said she was not proposing "a one size fits all system".
The minister set out a list of key decisions which the six groups will need to make. Key decisions Where schools should be builtHow they can share classesHow more subjects can be offered to pupils at GCSE and A levelHow transport to schools can be made more efficient The six groups will make decisions on where schools should be built, how they can share classes, how more subjects can be offered to pupils at GCSE and A level, and how transport to schools can be made more efficient.
One central group will take the lead, with representatives from the education and library boards and sectors such as Catholic, integrated and Irish language. Another five groups will be set up to deal with local situations.
Ms Ruane has promised to announce the chairs of the six groups by the end of the week.Ms Ruane has promised to announce the chairs of the six groups by the end of the week.
Unionist members are concerned that the representatives of protestant churches are not officially listed as members of the groups.Unionist members are concerned that the representatives of protestant churches are not officially listed as members of the groups.
The minister says all sections of the community will be represented on the groups.The minister says all sections of the community will be represented on the groups.
Sharing resourcesSharing resources
Ms Ruane believes that co-operation between schools and colleges in sharing facilities and expertise is crucial.Ms Ruane believes that co-operation between schools and colleges in sharing facilities and expertise is crucial.
"What we are proposing in future is a situation where young people will have a choice of at least 24 courses at key Stage 4 and 27 at post-16," she said."What we are proposing in future is a situation where young people will have a choice of at least 24 courses at key Stage 4 and 27 at post-16," she said.
She said there will be "at least one third are academic, at least a third vocational or technical and the other third made up of an appropriate combination of the two".She said there will be "at least one third are academic, at least a third vocational or technical and the other third made up of an appropriate combination of the two".
She hopes that a new system can begin to be established in April 2009.She hopes that a new system can begin to be established in April 2009.
However, full area-based plans covering pre-school, primary and post-primary on the model outlined are not expected to be in place until 2010 at the earliest.However, full area-based plans covering pre-school, primary and post-primary on the model outlined are not expected to be in place until 2010 at the earliest.