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

Children shouldn't be put through the ordeal of irregular tests set by some grammar schools - Brady

Published: 24 June, 2009

Sinn Féin MLA for Newry and Armagh Mickey Brady has called on parents to apply to the school of their choice no matter if their child is not sitting one of the irregular exams set by grammar schools.

Mickey Bradysaid,

"Parents should apply to the school of their choice but not put their child through the ordeal of having to sit one of the irregular tests set by the grammar schools.

"Testing at 11 places huge pressures on the child and the criteria brought forward avoids this."

"The Department of Education has clearly set out the transfer criteria to the post primary sector and parents should not feel excluded from certain schools because their child does not sit an exam.

"Parents are entitled to follow the criteria set by the department and may have legal redress to ensure equality for their child if they meet the criteria set out by the Department.

"The Grammar school sector needs to follow the advice of the Trade Unions and the primary school sector who have called for the tests to be abandoned. They must embrace the criteria set out by the Department of Education which allows for equality for all our children