Education Minister sends best wishes to children

The Education Minister has offered her best wishes to all children who find out today which post-primary school they will transfer to in September 2010.

The Minister, Caitríona Ruane said: "I want to offer my best wishes to all those children, and their parents, who have been informed today about their post-primary school place. The move from the primary school into the post-primary is a big step for children and I hope they look forward to September with anticipation and excitement.

"If this is a typical year, then approximately 9 out of 10 children will get into their first choice school. I am of course delighted for these children, but I am also sorry for those children who have been disappointed.

"I am very sympathetic to those parents who feel that their child has been rejected on the basis of breakaway tests. No parent should have to tolerate their child being rejected in this manner and no child should suffer such a rejection. I will continue to do all within my powers to bring to an end a transfer process that does this to children and parents.

"Grammar schools should not be testing children at 10 or 11 years old to gain access to an education to which they are entitled. It is socially unjust and educationally unsound to select children by a test.

"The policy of the Department of Education is for a non-selective system. That is not going to change. The new transfer procedures are in place and they will remain in place. We have moved on and will continue to move."

The Department of Education would wish all parents to note that their placement letter gives them information on:

• how to make an appeal against an unsuccessful application to a school to an Independent Admissions Appeals Tribunal. These tribunals have the power to overturn a school’s rejection of an application where that rejection was based on the incorrect application of admissions criteria; and
• how to make an application to the Exceptional Circumstances Body. This Body has the power to direct the admission of children where it considers that a child has exceptional and compelling circumstances that require his/her attendance at a specific post-primary school.

Notes to editors:

1. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.