Mr Kinahan, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Education Committee at Stormont said: "Whilst I welcome the Ministers long overdue comments re dialogue and his promise to 'facilitate active engagement' as he listens to our call for more and better consultation I still have concerns. In particular I remain concerned that the new Area Planning Steering Group does not include any businesses, principals and as yet no Voluntary Grammar schools. We must start consulting widely and listening to all sectors and to those who provide and use the end product of our education system; the pupils.
-- Advertisement --
"Unfortunately, as is common with most Education reports to the Assembly, the focus is as much on what has been left out than what was included. For instance, we need to know what lessons the post primary consultation highlighted and what the Department is planning on doing with them before the Primary school area planning consultation starts on the 19th March.
"It was also disappointing that there was no acknowledgment of the need for shared education or even a better recognition of the important role of Integrated Sector when it comes to Area Planning. Instead as the present direction sets in stone our separate schooling.
"By highlighting the number of children travelling in to Belfast each day in a way that seems to target Grammar schools, it is clear the Department has selected this as an area for special attention. Parental choice is a welcome and popular feature of the Northern Ireland Education system and I would strongly urge the Minister against taking any decisions considered to limit this."
(CD/GK)
