Tests would demonise certain schools - INTO

Reaction:Plans to introduce standardised testing for primary schoolchildren were branded "foolhardy" today by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO).

Responding to plans by the Minister for Education to introduce numeracy and literacy test for primary schoolchildren, the INTO claimed testing children as young as seven would label some failures for life and "demonise disadvantaged schools".

INTO general secretary Mr John Carr said numeracy and literacy tests for seven- and 11-year-olds were culturally biased and there was no that evidence teaching standards would improve.

"We regard this as foolhardy. These tests have their limitations, they are not totally reliable, and they should come with a health warning," Mr Carr said.

"If the Minister had have come to us we could have put him right on it, and on the problems."

The tests measuring numeracy and literature levels among

seven- and 11-year-olds, due to be introduced in 2006-07, will be used to plot national standards rather than label schools, the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, said.

But Mr Carr said the problems within the State education system had already been identified and that the Government had failed to act to solve them.

"The key issue for us is, after assessment comes what? We know that the resources are needed, the issue is that the Minister cannot get the resources," he said.

Mr Carr claimed up to 7,000 children around the country with special needs had already been assessed and results showed they needed more help, but that had yet to be provided.

"There are genuine fears that this information could be used to label children and stigmatise them for failing educationally or demotivate them, that is our fear.

"There are other fears that it could be used to demonise disadvantaged schools, or teachers who are putting in huge effort," Mr Carr said.

Fine Gael's spokeswoman on education, Ms Olwyn Enright, said the standardised testing must not be used to determine second level school entry.

Ms Enright said the tests "must be handled in a way that is sensitive to the fact the children being tested may be of a very young age".

She said: "Standardised testing could give us an objective overview of the literacy and numeracy of children at primary level."

"This may be of assistance in ensuring that the curriculum is working for children in the best possible way, and also be of help to parents who I believe should be given more information on their children's education," she added.

Labour's education spokeswoman, Ms Jan O'Sullivan, criticised the Mr Dempsey for going on what she described as a "solo run, announcing a new initiative without consultation with teachers' groups or parents' representatives".

Ms O'Sullivan said: "Any initiative aimed at improving literacy or literacy amongst school children is welcome."

"But we must ensure that undue pressure is not placed on children at such a tender age, unless there is a clear plan to address the needs of those who have fallen behind. Otherwise, the whole exercise becomes counterproductive."