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

Dominic Bradley challenged over SDLP backflip on academic selection

Published: 16 February, 2010

Sinn Féin MLA for Newry/Armagh, Mickey Brady has challenged the SDLP MLA, Dominic Bradley to state exactly where his party stands on education reform, the ending of academic selection and how their policy on this issue has changed over the past two years Mr Brady's comments follow the SDLP's endorsement of the reintroduction of testing at 11. Mr Brady said;

"Dominic Bradley as the SDLP's education spokesperson has no idea where to stand on the issue of academic selection following his party's acceptance of a proposal for the reintroduction of a state sponsored test for 11 year olds. "The SDLP has no clear or consistent position on this issue and have provided no leadership. Dominic Bradley has consistently sought to gain party political points. "In May 2008 when Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane proposed the phasing out of the 11+ over a three year period a process, which would of had a guaranteed outcome of ending selection he stated that it was a 'climb down' and that: "The minister has caved into pressure from those who are opposed to reform.

"This decision is the thin end of the wedge for the continuation of the 11-Plus into the future and is an indication of the minister's failure to carry through reform."

Yet now his comments are:

"We are now moving towards some version of the temporary testing regime which Education Minister Caitriona Ruane herself proposed in 2008."

"Does Dominic Bradley and the SDLP really believe that, following their proposal for the reintroduction of so called 'temporary testing', the unionist parties will suddenly be compelled to do away with their support for the 11+ and academic selection? The fact is there is no plan or intention under the proposals backed by Mr Bradley to end selection.

"The public will certainly see through this reversal of policy from the SDLP and judge them on their lack of education policy and foresight. Certainly Sinn Féin don't have to make the arguments against the SDLP, they do it for themselves."