 |
| |
The Transferor Representatives' Council (TRC), made up of the three main Protestant Churches, offered a measured reaction to the Burns report - 'Education for the 21st Century,' when its response was announced today, Tuesday 7 May, in Belfast . While supporting the guiding principles adopted by Burns, the TRC believes that the post-primary review must be related to the other reviews currently being undertaken, on the curriculum and formula funding.
It welcomes the recommendation that the present system of selection should be abolished, suggesting that a points system based on suitably weighted factors together with parental choice be adopted.
Going further, the TRC response suggests that the end of Key Stage 3 is the best time for informed decisions about a child's educational future and proposes a common core curriculum be delivered in all post primary schools until the end of KS3.
Profiling should offer a fairer way forward says the TRC. However it believes that a process of moderation would be essential to assure uniformity and that advice in interpreting profiles would greatly help parents and children in making better selection decisions.
In its consideration of school collegiates the TRC welcomes the concept of co-operation rather than competition. However, it considers the proposed system impractical suggesting an alternative of smaller clusters of schools co-operating on a voluntary basis.
Overall, the TRC strongly supports the principle that each child must be valued equally and facilitated to find the best educational pathway. To achieve this, the entire educational system will require major additional resources in terms of buildings, staff, training and equipment.
Full copies of the TRC response are available from the Church of Ireland Education Centre, Cadogan Park, Secretary of the Methodist Conference, Fountainville Ave and at Presbyterian Church House, Fisherwick Place or on the internet at www.presbyterianireland.org/statements
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
PCI Home . . . Press Office . . . News Archive