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NI schools should be 'legally accountable for equality' NI schools should be 'legally accountable for equality'
(about 2 hours later)
Schools in Northern Ireland should be made legally accountable for promoting equality and good relations, a ministerial advisory group on shared education has said.Schools in Northern Ireland should be made legally accountable for promoting equality and good relations, a ministerial advisory group on shared education has said.
The group, headed by Professor Paul Connolly of Queen's University Belfast, makes 20 recommendations.The group, headed by Professor Paul Connolly of Queen's University Belfast, makes 20 recommendations.
He also called the current choice of grammar or secondary at 11 "archaic, divisive and not fit for purpose".He also called the current choice of grammar or secondary at 11 "archaic, divisive and not fit for purpose".
The group further suggests academic selection should be outlawed. He says admitting pupils on the basis of academic tests should be outlawed.
Shared education means schools from different sectors forming partnerships to allow pupils to learn together. Shared education is usually understood to mean children from the Catholic and state (mostly Protestant) sectors learning together while still abiding by their school's ethos. The term is also used to describe efforts to share resources and facilities across socio-economic divisions.
In some secondary schools it is already used to provide GCSE or A-level subjects.In some secondary schools it is already used to provide GCSE or A-level subjects.
These would not otherwise be available to students in either controlled or Catholic schools. These would not otherwise be available to students in either controlled (state) or Catholic schools.
The group, appointed by the education minister John O'Dowd last July, says the Department of Education should actively encourage and facilitate collaboration between schools.The group, appointed by the education minister John O'Dowd last July, says the Department of Education should actively encourage and facilitate collaboration between schools.
'Truly inclusive''Truly inclusive'
It also recommends financial support and a strong system of training for teachers and says schools from across different sectors should be encouraged to share in a bid to promote equality and good relations.It also recommends financial support and a strong system of training for teachers and says schools from across different sectors should be encouraged to share in a bid to promote equality and good relations.
The panel, which also includes former PUP leader Dawn Purvis and PJ O'Grady, a retired school principal, suggests fundamental changes to the education system - including a review of how schools currently provide pupils with opportunities to explore controversial issues.The panel, which also includes former PUP leader Dawn Purvis and PJ O'Grady, a retired school principal, suggests fundamental changes to the education system - including a review of how schools currently provide pupils with opportunities to explore controversial issues.
In his press statement, Professor Connolly addresses the last three recommendations 18, 19, 20 which deal with academic selection.In his press statement, Professor Connolly addresses the last three recommendations 18, 19, 20 which deal with academic selection.
Recommendation 18 says the NI Executive should, without delay, introduce the necessary legislation to prevent schools from selecting children on the basis of academic ability.Recommendation 18 says the NI Executive should, without delay, introduce the necessary legislation to prevent schools from selecting children on the basis of academic ability.
The panel says that, in future, schools should be required to develop admissions requirements that are "truly inclusive and egalitarian".The panel says that, in future, schools should be required to develop admissions requirements that are "truly inclusive and egalitarian".
The education minister said he wanted to consider the findings in detail before making any recommendations on the way ahead. But he described the report as a very important step.The education minister said he wanted to consider the findings in detail before making any recommendations on the way ahead. But he described the report as a very important step.
"I am committed to providing all children with an opportunity to experience shared education.""I am committed to providing all children with an opportunity to experience shared education."