DUA Say No to Education Reforms
The Democratic Unionist Association (DUA) at Queen's University attracted cross-party support last night for a motion opposing government reforms to the Education system.
In proposing the motion, Philip Allister made reference to Northern Ireland’s exemplary record in exam results when compared to other UK regions, "Comprehensive schooling has failed spectacularly in England and Wales, yet the Government are proposing this system for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has long out-performed other regions in the United Kingdom and once again last year we produced the best A-Level results. A majority of politicians, teachers and parents want academic selection, yet the Government is continuing with their strategy of demolishing a system which is the best in the UK, and one of the best in the world, whilst ironically making provisions for its introduction in England and Wales."
Edward Hanna, who seconded the motion, accused the government of failing children coming from less affluent backgrounds. "Academic selection is the fairest way to ensure that each child gets the education they need and the best criteria on which to base admissions into grammar schools. The government’s proposals benefit those families who can afford to relocate to closer to the best schools, disadvantaging those from poorer backgrounds." he said.
( Information from a press release by the DUA )
In proposing the motion, Philip Allister made reference to Northern Ireland’s exemplary record in exam results when compared to other UK regions, "Comprehensive schooling has failed spectacularly in England and Wales, yet the Government are proposing this system for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has long out-performed other regions in the United Kingdom and once again last year we produced the best A-Level results. A majority of politicians, teachers and parents want academic selection, yet the Government is continuing with their strategy of demolishing a system which is the best in the UK, and one of the best in the world, whilst ironically making provisions for its introduction in England and Wales."
Edward Hanna, who seconded the motion, accused the government of failing children coming from less affluent backgrounds. "Academic selection is the fairest way to ensure that each child gets the education they need and the best criteria on which to base admissions into grammar schools. The government’s proposals benefit those families who can afford to relocate to closer to the best schools, disadvantaging those from poorer backgrounds." he said.
( Information from a press release by the DUA )
posted by Gown Team at
1:57 pm
8 Comments:
attracted cross-party support last night for a motion
Cross-party in the sense that they got UUP support but they did not get Nationalist or Republican support.
Barry it's a myth that our secondary schools fail to serve the less academically gifted. When compared to students of similar abiltiy in the English comprehensive system pupils of secondary schools in Northern Ireland perform better.
Why is this? Because they are taught at a level and speed they can cope with, instead of being expected to learn in the same classrooms as students who are moving at a much faster rate.
Grammar schools far from discriminating against those from poorer households allow them to compete on a level playing field. Why? Because the only criteria for entry is ability. I come from a farm in the back end of Tyrone, yet I'm able to attend a leading University and can expect a chance at exactly the same jobs as the son of a merchant banker. A generation or two ago this would have been completely impossible. When I was young my grandfather couldn't understand why I was still at school and he frequently asked, had I not nearly learned enough from the books yet? 40 years ago Universities were for people who had gone to fee-paying Grammar Schools, free Grammar Schools who decide their admission based upon academic ability are absolutly key to social mobility.
The support of more than one party Chris, how would you define cross-party.
I should also say to "the Sulk" that when I've talked recently about the quality of business before council, motions like this are what I would consider to be good quality business.
I cant agree with your views on higher education. I attended a comprehensive school were I got 4 alevels and an a2. Would my grades have been any better at a grammar school? I doubt it.
Were comprehensive schools thrive is not only in the standard of education, but in the range of what is taught. My school offered classes in brick-laying and hair dressing amongst other things not only for those of so called lower abilities but also for those who were more inclined to persue a vocation such as this. The mix allowed students to get both a very good education and to gain knowledge of a trade, this is something I feel Grammar schools can not offer.
I think you might find that this motion did obtain cross party support, I noted SDLP, DUP, UUP but needless Sinn Fein/IRA were once again opposed to anything stable in Northern Ireland
Who are the SDLP members of Council?
I heard that it was everyone but IRA/Sinn Fein supported the motion, although I also heard Chris Gaskin said he supported the IMC and would vote for that motion, then didn't.
although I also heard Chris Gaskin said he supported the IMC and would vote for that motion
Ever heard of sarcasm?
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