:: press release ::

November 5, 2008

ROSS RESPONDS TO CHURCH EDUCATION STATEMENT 

Alastair Ross has responded to the statement this morning by the churches.  

Speaking from Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Mr Ross said,  

“It is very distressing for parents and teachers who are at a loss to know what the Education Minister has in mind for the future of post primary transfer. There is an absolute necessity for some clarity for those children and parents who do not know what will lie ahead of them in the absence of the eleven plus exam.  

There are essentially two debates within education. One is on academic selection and the other is on 11 or 14. I fully support the sentiment from the Methodist, Presbyterian, COI and Roman Catholic churches today which support the use of academic criteria in the transfer process.”  

Turning to the issue of selection at 14, Mr Ross said, 

“Selection at 14 has been mooted by the churches. This of course already exists in the Craigavon area where the Dickson Plan has been very successful and popular. I do not think that this would however be viable to roll out across the whole of Northern Ireland as the cost and logistics alone would be on a massive scale.  

There is also the question of how suitable an age this is particularly for boys, who in their early teens are easier distracted and have more difficulty concentrating on their studies than when they are younger.  

The DUP are committed to matching pupils to the school which best suits their needs. The most academically gifted pupils should be stretched and those who require additional assistance should get it.  

We will continue to work with all of those who have a genuine interest in finding a common and agreed way forward.”