§ Mr. McGradyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the regulations regarding the choice of schools for secondary education; and to what extent parental choice is taken into consideration.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThere are no statutory regulations regarding the choice of schools for secondary education. However, the present transfer arrangements operate on the basis enshrined in article 44 of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986 that the Department of Education and Library Boards shall have regard to the general principle that, so far as is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure, pupils shall be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents.