Ruane must get her act together on transfer plans now

10.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Sep 2008

Alliance education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA

Alliance education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has said that Caitríona Ruane must provide total clarity on what is happening in relation to the 11-plus immediately, because parents, pupils and teachers must not suffer confusion any longer.

Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn said: "Caitríona Ruane may have a clear view in her own mind regarding future transfer plans but there is still total confusion in the community. She has failed miserably in getting the message out there to the public on her plans about scrapping the 11-plus.

"This uncertainty is extremely destabilising for children, parents and teachers alike. How long can people tolerate the poor performance of the Minister? I do not think that they public should be subjected to this chaos any longer. In any other country, the total failure of the Executive to deliver would not be accepted. Why should Northern Ireland settle for second-rate governance when other areas would not?

"Caitríona Ruane's inertia is hurting our education system more with every day that the confusion continues. Parents are having sleepless nights about the educational future of their children. This is simply unacceptable.

"How can our schools and pupils continue to produce top results if the head of our education system in failing in her duties?"

ENDS