Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

INTO warning for grammar schools welcomed

Published: 29 May, 2009

Welcoming the INTO announcement that teachers should have "no involvement" with the entrance tests, Newry Sinn Féin councillor Marian Mathers said that the union is putting the future interests of primary teachers and principals to the fore.

Cllr Mathers said,

"By issuing these guidelines the INTO is seeking to safeguard teachers who may be under pressure from their own Board of Governors or an attempt to pressurise primary schools into conforming with the grammar school sector's view of education and teach towards an unregulated and legally precarious transfer test.

"Primary schools are centres of education in their own right and not merely holding centres for potential grammar school pupils as some within the grammar sector believe. Primary school teachers should be allowed to get on with their job and teach the Revised Curriculum without interference from those more interested in their own perceived status than the effect if their outdated system on 10 and 11 year old children."

Ms Mathers concluded,

"I am sure that serious consideration was taken before this advice was issued in order to provide members with the clearest protection."