Ulster Unionist Party Education spokesperson Danny Kinahan MLA has re-iterated the Party's position on Post Primary School transfer and unofficial tests.
Mr Kinahan said:
“At this time of year, with the recent announcement of the results of one of the unofficial Post Primary Transfer Tests, it is worth re stating that the current situation is not acceptable.
The Guidance issued by the Department of Education to Primary School Principals and Boards of Governors , point 17 states, “the Department strongly recommends that schools do not use entry criteria related to academic ability. Those schools currently using academic selection for entry to the school should begin the transition away from the use of academic admissions criteria…”
This guidance is not only effectively a threat to schools, but flies in the face of reality. It is a fact that a sizeable proportion of parents continue to support academic selection. Thousands of children still sit transfer tests, years after they were supposedly done away with. This demonstrates that a significant demand for Grammar School education remains. We support that demand.
Looking to the future The Ulster Unionist Party would like to see post primary transfer based on informed parental choice. In the shorter term we want to see a single transfer test put in place for two years. This would create the time and space necessary to finally find a resolution to the post primary transfer issue.”