 The last 11-plus transfer test will be in 2008 |
The NIO education minister's arguments against the controversial ending of post-primary academic selection are "flawed," the UUP education spokesman has said. Education Minister Barry Gardiner has insisted the government will press ahead with plans to abolish the 11-plus tests in 2008, following consideration of the Costello Group's report.
The government-appointed working body was set up to suggest alternatives to the current transfer tests.
Speaking in a Northern Ireland Grand Committee debate on the report, Roy Beggs expressed concern at plans to change the system.
Mr Beggs said grammar schools were not opposed to change and have been working on alternative methods of selection to replace the 11-plus.
He disputed Mr Gardiner's claims that Northern Ireland's overall GCSE results were worse than those in England.
Mr Beggs said more English pupils took vocational exams which were easier than the mostly academic courses followed by Northern Ireland pupils.
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