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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Principals back selection tests | Principals back selection tests |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Academic selection should continue, according to a body which represents Catholic grammar school principals. | Academic selection should continue, according to a body which represents Catholic grammar school principals. |
| The Catholic Heads Association said schools had been given "limited leadership" on the issue by the Department of Education. | The Catholic Heads Association said schools had been given "limited leadership" on the issue by the Department of Education. |
| They also said a lack of progress had "caused apprehension". | They also said a lack of progress had "caused apprehension". |
| Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said academic selection was wrong and added that she was "determined to continue to pursue a course to end it". | Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said academic selection was wrong and added that she was "determined to continue to pursue a course to end it". |
| "The statement from the Catholic Heads Association sets out what is patently obvious, that the best option is regulation - that is what I have spent my time in office trying to bring about," she said. | "The statement from the Catholic Heads Association sets out what is patently obvious, that the best option is regulation - that is what I have spent my time in office trying to bring about," she said. |
| "Towards that end, I brought forward compromise proposals which included academic selection on a diminishing basis over a three year period. This was an attempt to introduce a breathing space." | |
| However, the principals said the lack of direction and political progress had led to the probability of an unregulated transfer test system. | |
| "Until the appropriate legislation is in place, we propose that academic selection will continue to take place, preferably using the CCEA test which the Minister has commissioned," they said. | "Until the appropriate legislation is in place, we propose that academic selection will continue to take place, preferably using the CCEA test which the Minister has commissioned," they said. |
| "We simultaneously must seek consensus, across all sectors, in order to ensure that proper pathways are provided for all our young people. | "We simultaneously must seek consensus, across all sectors, in order to ensure that proper pathways are provided for all our young people. |
| "At this point in time we believe that a breathing space is required to ensure that the necessary planning takes place to optimise opportunities. Until such time as a secure, agreed and reliable means of transfer can be put in place academic selection should continue, for the entire intake." | "At this point in time we believe that a breathing space is required to ensure that the necessary planning takes place to optimise opportunities. Until such time as a secure, agreed and reliable means of transfer can be put in place academic selection should continue, for the entire intake." |
| In May, Ms Ruane said she aimed to extend academic selection for three years before ending it. | |
| However, the minister faced sharp questions from unionist and SDLP MLAs whilst the DUP said her plans would not be agreed by the assembly. |