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Resignation call over school test | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A teachers' union has urged the board of governors at a Londonderry grammar school to resign after it decided to introduce its own entrance examination. | |
Lumen Christi College is to bring in its own form of academic selection when the 11-plus is abolished this year. | |
The Catholic Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, a senior trustee of the college, criticised the move. | |
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation called on the board to "do the honourable thing" and step down. | |
Brendan Harron of INTO said: "Much has been made in recent years of the importance of the 'ethos' in Catholic schools, which is allegedly based on the gospel values of Jesus Christ. | |
"Yet we here have the governors of such a school taking a decision to perpetuate the most unfair, immoral and socially divisive system of separating children into those who will have opportunity and those who will not. " | |
Dr Hegarty said he was opposed to an aptitude test | |
Bishop Hegarty said he was opposed to the aptitude test because academic selection did not offer an equal opportunity to all. | |
"As senior trustee, I had no knowledge of their (the board of governors') decision and became aware of it through the media. I cannot support this decision," he said. | |
He said he had been supporting the efforts of local Catholic post-primary schools to work out an alternative to academic selection based on equal opportunity. | He said he had been supporting the efforts of local Catholic post-primary schools to work out an alternative to academic selection based on equal opportunity. |
Education Minister CaitrÃona Ruane said she agreed with Dr Hegarty, adding that the Department of Education would not fund or support any such entrance exam. | |
"Schools considering a breakaway entrance exam should also be aware of the considerable legal and financial risks they may face if they decide to proceed," she said. | |
"There is the potential for multiple appeals and litigation aimed at overturning admissions decisions." |