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Pupils sit second transfer test Pupils sit second transfer test
(about 3 hours later)
More than 15,000 Northern Ireland primary school children are to sit the second exam in this year's 11-plus transfer test. More than 15,000 Northern Ireland primary school children are sitting the second exam in this year's 11-plus transfer test.
The figure is slightly down on the number of children who sat the first test two weeks ago.The figure is slightly down on the number of children who sat the first test two weeks ago.
Northern Ireland's exam board, the CCEA, said 15,200 pupils at 851 primary schools would take the test - 7,518 boys and 7,682 girls. Northern Ireland's exam board, the CCEA, said 15,200 pupils at 851 primary schools are taking the test - 7,518 boys and 7,682 girls.
The total number of pupils eligible to sit the test is 22,698.The total number of pupils eligible to sit the test is 22,698.
At the time of the second transfer test in November 2005, 15,561 pupils from 862 schools were due to sit the test out of 23,208 eligible.At the time of the second transfer test in November 2005, 15,561 pupils from 862 schools were due to sit the test out of 23,208 eligible.
Across Northern Ireland 119 pupils at 17 schools are doing the test in Irish - 110 of these pupils are from Irish medium schools and the other nine are from mainstream schools with an Irish medium stream.Across Northern Ireland 119 pupils at 17 schools are doing the test in Irish - 110 of these pupils are from Irish medium schools and the other nine are from mainstream schools with an Irish medium stream.
Bargaining chipBargaining chip
The test is causing controversy because some people accuse the government of using it and academic selection as bargaining tools in politics.The test is causing controversy because some people accuse the government of using it and academic selection as bargaining tools in politics.
The government says academic selection will not be banned after 2008 if the assembly gets back to work soon.The government says academic selection will not be banned after 2008 if the assembly gets back to work soon.
In most areas about three-quarters of primary seven children sat the first part of the test.In most areas about three-quarters of primary seven children sat the first part of the test.
However, in the Southern Board area, where some schools operate without the 11-plus, under the Dickson Plan only half the pupils will do the test.However, in the Southern Board area, where some schools operate without the 11-plus, under the Dickson Plan only half the pupils will do the test.
The government plans to scrap the current 11-plus transfer test in two years time.The government plans to scrap the current 11-plus transfer test in two years time.
However, as a concession to the DUP at the St Andrews talks in October, it was agreed that a new assembly could keep some form of academic selection.However, as a concession to the DUP at the St Andrews talks in October, it was agreed that a new assembly could keep some form of academic selection.
Plans to drop the 11-plus were first put in motion by Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness when he was education minister and have been followed through by direct rule ministers since.Plans to drop the 11-plus were first put in motion by Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness when he was education minister and have been followed through by direct rule ministers since.