Lunn echoes bishops' call for clarity on post 11-plus plans

1.10.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 26th Jun 2008

Alliance Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA

Alliance Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has backed Catholic bishops' calls for more clarity on Caitríona Ruane's post 11-plus strategy. He said that the longer the confusion continued, the less chance there is of a suitable solution being found. The Bishop's statement was published in the Irish News this morning.

Trevor Lunn MLA said: "I am glad that the Bishops have voiced their concerns over the vacuum in education and the disarray over post-11-plus plans.

"We want to see pupils choosing their academic path at 14, instead of selection at 11. The way things are going, however, it seems that the system Caitríona Ruane is producing will be good for no-one.

"The longer this saga goes on, the less chance there is of a suitable solution being found. All the heresay and rumours about what will replace the 11-plus are doing our education system great harm. Now parents, teachers and pupils have to face a whole summer of uncertainty as Caitríona Ruane will not be bringing anything to the Assembly before September at the earliest."

ENDS