Cllr Dessie Ward Motion 150
Published: 1 March, 2008
This Ard Fheis applauds the Six County Minister for Education for upholding the decision to abolish the 'Transfer at 11' test (11+) in the North of Ireland. It welcomes the Minister's decision to end 'Selection' and promote 'Election'. This Ard Fheis urges the Minister, within her acknowledged restrictions, to try and ensure that a non-selective system in the Six Counties is arrived at in line with Sinn Féin's education policy. It is widely known that research regards comprehensive education from 11-19 as the best guarantee of embedding equality and equality of opportunity for all young people.
Dessie Ward, Upper Bann Comhairle Ceantair, speaking in support of motion 150.
This Ard Fheis applauds the decision of the Education Minister Caitríona Ruane to abolish the 11+ and to end academic selection. As someone who failed the 11+ around 16 years ago now, I can speak here today not just as a Sinn Fein Elected Representative but on a personal level about the damage this has on a person's confidence and self-esteem for many years after.
Quite simply, on the basis of two one-hour tests I and the vast majority of those sat the transfer test that year were branded as failures by an antiquated education system established back in the 1940's - at a time when people were dancing to the Jitter-bug and at a time when the food people had on their table's was based upon a rations book. People no longer dance to the Jigger-bug; food rationing has ended; yet the social segregation that Academic selection produces still exists.
At its core the ending of selection is about Equality and Social Justice and ending the form of apartheid that exists at the present time. While there is no doubt the six county education system produces a significant number of high achievers, the very same education system produces thousands of children who leave school without the ability to even read or write properly, including those from loyalists area's where those within the DUP and other proponents of this system are elected to represent. Shame on you!
It is now of great relief to many parents that I speak to on a daily basis and many of those within the education sector also, that 2008 will see the end of this discriminatory transfer system. Those opposed to the direction the minister has taken should now either put up or shut up - And if your watching Sammy Wilson, this means you to! You need to accept that the 11+ has gone and that the debate has now moved on to how this will operate in practice.
It is unfortunate that those who object to the direction the Minister has taken on this issue have now made this issue, not about the educational wellbeing of our children, but more about a means of attacking the Minister personally. Those behind these verbal attacks can't seem to make up their mind whether they don't like her because she is a Shinner, because she is a woman or because she speaks with a southern accent.
In conclusion I would applaud the fact that the minister has and will continue to consult widely with a range of interest groups within the education sector so that the end product is an education system truly fit for an Ireland of the 21st Century. Go Raibh Míle Maith Agaibh!
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