Republican News · Thursday 10 October 2002

McGuinness scraps 11+

Sinn Féin Education Minister Martin McGuinness announced on Tuesday that the controversial 11+ examination for schoolchildren in the Six Counties will be abolished. He promised detailed proposals on new arrangements in December that would take account of vast differences in children's needs and provide flexibility, but the current crisis in the process is sure to affect his plans.

McGuinness said the tests, which determine second-level education for children at age eleven, would be "consigned to history at the earliest possible date".

In a statement to the Assembly, McGuinnesss said: "Throughout our history the 11+ branded most of our children failures when the real failure was the 11+ itself.

"The consultation has demonstrated consensus on the need for a common curriculum to age 14, and on 14 as a more appropriate age for parents and pupils to consider and make choices about the curricular optionsor pathways which best suit the interests, needs and abilities of the young person," he said.

Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Gerry McHugh welcomed the announcement as "the most significant educational development in our education system in many years. This move by Martin McGuinness will focus the collective mind of educationalists in addressing the task of restructuring our divided school system.

"Despite the fact that the so-called grammar school lobby was very effective in mobilising its supporters to complete the household survey, it is clear that people have spoken clearly in respect of the 11+.

"People have expressed their widespread support for its end, demonstrating a widespread acceptance that this test has distorted the primary school curriculum, traumatised and alienated many children, and created a two-tier school system. There has been an exaggerated emphasis on academic exams at the expense of a broader education in grammar schools, and an unnecessary accumulation of socio-economic and educational need in secondary schools.

"It would be a great shame for all our schoolchildren if unionists' wrecking of the Good Friday institutions deprives the Minister of Education from the opportunity to complete this extremely important task and put forward his proposals of reform of post primary education."

The announcement was also welcomed by the Irish National Teachers Organisation.