Schools should not have been forced into this position - McCrea
TODAY more than 30 grammar schools in Northern Ireland have announced that they are to set up a company to manage an independent test to replace the 11-Plus.
They have claimed their reasons behind this decision have been the failure of the Department of Education and specifically Caitriona Ruane to bring an alternative to the 11 plus which is to be scrapped this year.
Commenting on the issue UUP MLA Basil McCrea and education spokesperson for the party said that he was saddened that the schools had been put in this position by the Education Minister.
“The issue here is that I very much regret that these schools, the pupils the teachers and the parents have been put in this position. I do understand the significant hurdles which have been placed in front of the schools both in terms of logistics and legalities and do not underestimate the challenges which they are facing at this time.”
“I am aware this highlights the failings of the Assembly in addressing this important issue and believe the Executive should respond by solving this problem. Head teachers, staff and parents need to concentrate on educating their children and should not be faced with these difficulties. This is something which schools have been forced into by the Education Minister who has failed to provide them with an alternative.”