Northern Ireland’s new education proposals left the power-sharing Executive in Belfast divided tonight.
The Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin ministers clashed in a Stormont meeting over Education Minister Caitriona Ruane’s plans to phase out the transfer test between now and 2013.
The 11-plus test is taken by all primary school pupils before they transfer to secondary level,
First Minister Dr Paisley said it was a sad day for Northern Ireland. “The Minister for Education’s proposals, as currently framed, are totally unacceptable and do not form a basis for moving forward.
“The Education Minister can make any suggestion she wants to - however, it will not come into force unless she has the support of the DUP and the endorsement of the Executive.”
Sinn Féin minister Ms Ruane has pledged to press ahead with plans to scrap the 11-plus test after this year despite opposition across the Cabinet table.
Her proposals have angered some school heads who want to retain selection, with 31 intending to set independent exams if they are forced to adopt the minister’s model for transfers involving pupil choice at age 14 and factors like where families live.
PA