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Ruane says test call 'difficult' | Ruane says test call 'difficult' |
(10 minutes later) | |
Northern Ireland's education minister has said her plan to continue academic selection for another three years was a "difficult move" for her. | Northern Ireland's education minister has said her plan to continue academic selection for another three years was a "difficult move" for her. |
CaitrÃona Ruane said she still had a "vision that there will be no academic selection" and that she was prepared to take the steps needed to achieve that. | CaitrÃona Ruane said she still had a "vision that there will be no academic selection" and that she was prepared to take the steps needed to achieve that. |
In a speech to grammar and secondary school principals, the minister referred to personal criticism of her. | In a speech to grammar and secondary school principals, the minister referred to personal criticism of her. |
But she also thanked everyone for adding to the debate. | But she also thanked everyone for adding to the debate. |
She said there cannot be a "Transfer Test Mark II" and that she hoped academic selection will soon be seen as an "historical anomaly". | She said there cannot be a "Transfer Test Mark II" and that she hoped academic selection will soon be seen as an "historical anomaly". |
Last December, Ms Ruane announced that the test, commonly known as the 11-plus, would come to an end in 2008. | Last December, Ms Ruane announced that the test, commonly known as the 11-plus, would come to an end in 2008. |
On Tuesday, the SDLP said a new post-primary transfer test for schoolchildren in NI would be a "climbdown". | On Tuesday, the SDLP said a new post-primary transfer test for schoolchildren in NI would be a "climbdown". |
Ms Ruane will reveal her plans on Thursday to the Northern Ireland Executive. | Ms Ruane will reveal her plans on Thursday to the Northern Ireland Executive. |
She is to propose a form of testing to continue for three years, but there will be a limit on the number of pupils grammar schools can take on that basis. | She is to propose a form of testing to continue for three years, but there will be a limit on the number of pupils grammar schools can take on that basis. |
The SDLP's Dominic Bradley said it had the hallmarks of a DUP/Sinn Féin deal. But Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd said Ms Ruane was setting out a clear way forward. | The SDLP's Dominic Bradley said it had the hallmarks of a DUP/Sinn Féin deal. But Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd said Ms Ruane was setting out a clear way forward. |
It is believed that now, the minister could commission new tests which encompass broader educational areas than the current transfer test. | It is believed that now, the minister could commission new tests which encompass broader educational areas than the current transfer test. |
These tests would be developed and marked by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, continuing for about three more years. | These tests would be developed and marked by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, continuing for about three more years. |