'No educational case' for testing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7914191.stm

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The Irish National Teachers Organisation has urged its members in primary schools to hold firm on their opposition to academic selection.

The union's northern chairperson, Mary Hughes, said the INTO wanted to free young people from testing.

Academic selection, she said, was not for the benefit of children, but for adults who believe in privilege for the few rather than opportunity for all.

"There are no educational arguments for the retention of it," said Ms Hughes.

"You could, perhaps, put forward an economic argument, a political argument, a social argument, but you can't put forward an educational argument, and teachers are educationalists."

The union is holding its Northern Conference on Friday.

Also on the agenda are government cutbacks on early pensions for teachers.

The union says the measure is "draconian and demeaning" and that some teachers are genuinely burnt out in their 50s.