Schools in minister’s constituency appeal for transfer test suspension

In total, 24 primary schools in North Down — the area the Education Minister Peter Weir represents as an MLA — have said in an open letter that the 11-plus style tests should not go ahead given the “abnormal circumstances” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The exams are currently due to go ahead in November and December this year, after they were pushed back by two weeks by the companies responsible for setting the tests.

But the Minister, responding to the letter from the primary school principals, said the current plans are the “best available” in the absence of alternative arrangements “emerging”.

The Co Down school principals are the latest to call for the tests to be called off in light of the impact of the coronavirus, following similar calls from the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, and the Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner Koulla Yiasouma.

On Friday, a group of five Catholic Grammar Schools in Newry and Kilkeel said they would not use the results of transfer tests to determinewho will be admitted to the schools in September.

In the latest move from schools, the primary school principals called for the suspension of the tests due to the “stress” of the lockdown.

Education Minister Peter Weir said: “For as long as academic selection is available as an option for schools to admit pupils to post-primary education across Northern Ireland, it is vitally important that there is a fair and transparent process in place for children undertaking selection tests.

“My department has no role in the organisation of the transfer tests and it is up to individual schools whether they choose to use academic selection.

“I understand that, given the current situation regarding COVID-19, there is uncertainty and some understandable concern about the current planned tests in December 2020.”

“The matter was given very careful consideration and I consider that the revised plans which are being put in place are the best available at this time.

“In the absence of any alternative solutions emerging I believe the onus is on PPTC (Post Primary Transfer Consortium) and AQE (Association for Quality Education) to reassure children that the testing process will be fair and reasonable, and managed as carefully as possible given the level of disruption to pupils’ education this year.”

Mr Weir continued: “My focus remains on looking at ways that my Department can provide vital support to all pupils in those key transition years. In addition, I also want to ensure that work continues to provide much needed support to vulnerable and disadvantaged children when schools reopen.”