‘Minister needs to represent all children on Eleven Plus’ – Murphy | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

‘Minister needs to represent all children on Eleven Plus’ – Murphy

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has welcomed a decision by the Assembly Education Committee to invite the Minister to appear before it to explain his recent decision on transfer test coaching.

exam results“I welcome the decision of the Education Committee to invite the minister to come before it,” he said.

“It’s important the Minister explains his recent decision to reverse Department of Education policy and allow primary school teachers to use up valuable class time to coach some pupils towards unofficial transfer tests.

“Sinn Féin is not alone in its opposition to this move. Churches, unions, school principals, teachers and parents have all expressed their deep concern regarding the decision to allow teachers to coach pupils for transfer tests,” he insisted.

“The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Children report criticised transfer tests and a report by OFM/DFM linked academic selection to inequality and underachievement.

“In the Committee, DUP MLA Maurice Morrow let the cat out of the bag when he said that Education Minster Peter Weir was fulfilling party manifesto commitments when he took the decision.

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September 2016“I would remind the minister that he represents all our children, not just those whose parents have put them forward for transfer tests.

Murphy added, “In truth, I believe the minister needs to place much greater emphasis on addressing underachievement.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=57661

Posted by on Sep 22 2016. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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