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Principals back selection tests Principals back selection tests
(29 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.""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. However, the association 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. It proposes using new CCEA tests as a means of selection, but is against the minister's proposal of reducing the proportion of pupils who sit the test annually until it is phased out completely in three years. Caitriona Ruane wants to end academic selection
"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 in a statement.
"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." "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. The association released the statement after a meeting which was attended by Bishop Donal McKeown of the Catholic Commission.
However, the minister faced sharp questions from unionist and SDLP MLAs whilst the DUP said her plans would not be agreed by the assembly. Bishop McKeown said he had agreed that the principals should put out a statement, but denied he had signed up to it.