Sammy Wilson MP MLA

Parents and teachers raise transfer concerns East Antrim DUP representatives Sammy Wilson MP MLA and Alastair Ross MLA answered questions on post primary transfer on Thursday night at an event held in Larne Leisure Centre for concerned teachers, parents and pupils. During the well attended meeting Mr Wilson spoke about the current position of the parties concerning post primary transfer and explained how the parties could work to achieve consensus and ensure that pupils transfer from primary to post primary schools in the fairest possible way. Following the meeting, Mr Wilson said: “It is because of the current uncertainty about post primary transfer that our Party have decided to go around the country and bring forward our own proposals to break the deadlock. I have already spoken at an event in Lisburn and intend to speak at similar public meetings in constituencies right across Northern Ireland.

 

As a Party we are committed to excellence in education and we will be working extremely hard to ensure that all youngsters do the best that they possibly can. Tonight my colleague Alastair Ross MLA and I explained the current situation which we find ourselves in and explained our own proposals which we believe can resolve the issue of post primary transfer. There was also the opportunity for those who were there to ask questions. All of those who attended were united on one point- the Ministers indecision and delaying tactics are causing huge uncertainty and stress for pupils, teachers and parents. The Minister states that she has consulted with many people, many schools and many groups and stakeholders, and that they agree with where she stands. It is now clear, however, that she is living in cloud cuckoo land. I urge the Minister to come out of her ivory tower and cooperate with the other parties so that consensus can be reached and the fears of parents, teachers and pupils put at ease.” Mr Ross added, “Tonight was the second public meeting held by the DUP on the issue of education, following a very successful evening in Lagan Valley.

 

From tonight’s meeting in Larne, it is clear that there is also a very high level of interest in East Antrim. It was interesting to hear the many comments and concerns expressed by the audience, which was compiled of teachers and parents from various education sectors. Given that the Education Minister has failed to bring forward any solid proposals we felt that it was now time to bring forward our own, and after explaining the legal realities on academic selection being safeguarded in legislation and on the strict Ministerial Code which compels the Minister to seek approval on any controversial decisions from her Executive colleagues, we set out how we have been working with the UUP, SDLP and Alliance Party to find a way forward. This is perhaps the biggest political issue at present, and it is important that we get it right.

 

I believe in equality of opportunity and reject any plans for geographical based criteria, which will in effect allow those parents with the most money to buy houses closest to the most popular schools. This has already happened in England and is already happening in parts of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has a good record of getting children from socially disadvantaged areas to grammar schools and Universities because social status is not an obstacle for a merit based system. It is also important however that in a time of falling pupil numbers that secondary schools do not lose out. If a school wishes to promote itself as an academic institution then it must have a strict admission policy and not simply fill up empty seats with those who do not make the grade. This is unfair on our secondary schools and is unacceptable. At the same time we must value our secondary schools and ensure that those children who have talents in vocational areas can learn in an environment more suited to their needs.”

 

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