§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will give an undertaking that any replacement for the 11-plus examination in Northern Ireland will be based on the wishes of parents, teachers and the community and that full consultation will take place. [HL268]
§ Lord Williams of MostynExtensive consultation on the Burns proposals demonstrated a demand for change and support for the abolition of the transfer tests among the education partners, schools, Churches, political parties, voluntary and community organisations and the public. The Government are taking forward the review of post-primary education and are working towards the abolition of the transfer tests as soon as practical. No decisions have been taken on academic selection or on new post-primary arrangements.
Jane Kennedy is meeting with political parties and Department of Education officials are meeting with education partners and representatives of parents to discuss the next steps in the post-primary review. The Government will consider the views expressed in these meetings and in the responses to all the strands of the consultation in determining how best to develop new post-primary arrangements which meet the educational needs of all the children in Northern Ireland.