Education can progress through co-operation - Ruane

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has said that progress can be made in education through working together in a spirit of co-operation.

The Minister was speaking at the UTU annual conference. The Minister told delegates: “This conference is being held at a time of improved political stability following the Hillsborough Agreement. The Agreement has shown that, whatever the issue, we can only make progress through working together in a spirit of co-operation. This applies in education as much as in politics.

“Your union is forging links with Irish National Teachers Organisation  through your Joint Board and through the recent and successful principals conference and this spirit of co-operation will not only serve your members better, but also children.”

The Minister also spoke to delegates about the range of current education policies including Area-Based Planning, Every School a Good School, the Entitlement Framework, Review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, Irish-Medium Review and early years. The Minister also said: “The Department of Education’s policy on post-primary transfer arrangements is for a non-selective system.  The 11 plus is gone and there will be no return to any form of academic testing as part of our transfer procedures.

“I have previously told schools that teaching of the revised curriculum should not be distorted to prepare children for these tests. I would now urge all teachers not to get involved in private coaching of children as this practice excludes and discriminates against children from lower income families.  Private tutoring for breakaway tests provides support to a system that is unnecessary and unjust and further perpetuates inequality.  It is a further obstacle preventing children from accessing the education to which they are entitled.”

The Minister gave delegates details of capital investment in new schools and said: “Since May 2007 we have invested over £500 million in modern school accommodation.  We need to provide a quality schools estate to help teachers deliver improved educational standards to all children and young people.

“Education is currently facing pressures as a result of the financial context in which the Executive is operating.  That is why we must start to streamline the administration of education. This process will deliver efficiencies, remove the variability of service and continue to raise standards. The challenge for all sections of the community is to make these changes work effectively for all children.”

Notes to editors:

1. Media queries to the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9207.