Derry MLA calls on NI Education Minister to scrap transfer tests

In a fresh call amid concerns over the minister’s assertions that the tests should go ahead in schools, Karen Mullan (above) said: “Many children planning to sit transfer tests will face worry and anxiety over Christmas. That is unnecessary and unacceptable and the Education Minister can act to stop that.

“By insisting these tests go ahead and by asking primary schools to facilitate transfer tests the minister is also adding to the pressure on teachers and school staff when they are already stretched by dealing with the pandemic. That is totally unreasonable.

“Peter Weir needs to listen to the calls from trade unions, from teachers and from parents and think of the wellbeing of children and cancel these transfer tests.”

Calling for children sitting the tests to be facilitated, Peter Weir said: “The hosting of selection tests in the pupil’s own primary school is clearly my preferred option for this year and in fact every year. Whilst I am sure some Principals and Boards of Governors would be willing to compromise to allow this to take place in the pupil’s home school, it has become clear to me over this year that others will not. This is also the position of the Teachers Unions.

“What we do not want to see is ultimately some primary schools hosting the tests and others being unwilling to do so, as the outworking of this would mean that some pupils will have a ‘home school advantage’, leaving others forced to sit their tests in hosting grammar schools.

“I have engaged with stakeholders over the course of this year but finding agreement has proved difficult. It is my firm belief that these tests should be conducted in the pupil’s own primary school and within their existing ‘bubble’.”