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| Bain school reforms to go ahead | Bain school reforms to go ahead |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The recommendations of a report which could lead to the closure of hundreds of schools in NI will be implemented immediately, the NI secretary has said. | The recommendations of a report which could lead to the closure of hundreds of schools in NI will be implemented immediately, the NI secretary has said. |
| Assembly members had wanted any decisions on whether to implement the Bain Report delayed until the assembly was back up and running. | Assembly members had wanted any decisions on whether to implement the Bain Report delayed until the assembly was back up and running. |
| However, Peter Hain said the reforms involved would be a huge challenge and could not be ducked. | However, Peter Hain said the reforms involved would be a huge challenge and could not be ducked. |
| He was speaking during a visit to Crumlin High School in County Antrim. | He was speaking during a visit to Crumlin High School in County Antrim. |
| Mr Hain will also introduce a new quality mark for schools in Northern Ireland based on how much they share with others. | Mr Hain will also introduce a new quality mark for schools in Northern Ireland based on how much they share with others. |
| It is designed to encourage pupils and staff of different religions, cultures and races to mix in schools. | It is designed to encourage pupils and staff of different religions, cultures and races to mix in schools. |
| "A shared future for education is the only way to make Northern Ireland world class and the only way to improve standards and ensuring all pupils have the life chances that flow from an excellent education," he said. | "A shared future for education is the only way to make Northern Ireland world class and the only way to improve standards and ensuring all pupils have the life chances that flow from an excellent education," he said. |
| "The blunt reality is that it is simply not going to be possible tooffer the full range of opportunities in a system of education that does not have sharing at its heart." | |
| On Monday, assembly members voted to demand a delay to the implementation of the report. | On Monday, assembly members voted to demand a delay to the implementation of the report. |
| Pupil numbers | Pupil numbers |
| In December 2006, the Bain Report found that a third of schools - 440 in total - do not have a required minimum number of pupils. | In December 2006, the Bain Report found that a third of schools - 440 in total - do not have a required minimum number of pupils. |
| Its author, Professor Sir George Bain, said this did not mean that small schools should close. | Its author, Professor Sir George Bain, said this did not mean that small schools should close. |
| However, he warned that the current status quo could not prevail. Schools could face closure or amalgamation. | However, he warned that the current status quo could not prevail. Schools could face closure or amalgamation. |
| It also recommended that the minimum enrolment for primary schools should be 140 in urban areas and 105 in rural areas. | It also recommended that the minimum enrolment for primary schools should be 140 in urban areas and 105 in rural areas. |
| The current minimum number advised is 60 pupils. | The current minimum number advised is 60 pupils. |
| For post-primary schools, the minimum numbers in years eight to 12 should be 500 and for those with a sixth form there should be a minimum of 100 pupils in the sixth form. | For post-primary schools, the minimum numbers in years eight to 12 should be 500 and for those with a sixth form there should be a minimum of 100 pupils in the sixth form. |
| Any school with numbers below that will be examined to ensure they are able to deliver a full education for their pupils. | Any school with numbers below that will be examined to ensure they are able to deliver a full education for their pupils. |
| In future, Sir George, said schools should be planned to cover the needs of a geographical area rather than at present when a range of schools, Catholic, State, Integrated and Irish Language can all exist within a small area. | In future, Sir George, said schools should be planned to cover the needs of a geographical area rather than at present when a range of schools, Catholic, State, Integrated and Irish Language can all exist within a small area. |
| The report highlighted the problems created by an education system in a divided society where there are Catholic, Protestant and integrated schools at both primary and post-primary level. | The report highlighted the problems created by an education system in a divided society where there are Catholic, Protestant and integrated schools at both primary and post-primary level. |
| It advocated the promotion of sharing and collaboration between schools but made no recommendation for enforced integration. | It advocated the promotion of sharing and collaboration between schools but made no recommendation for enforced integration. |