Review of Post-Primary Education: Report on Responses to Consultation

Part of the debate – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 11:45 am on 8 October 2002.

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Photo of Martin McGuinness Martin McGuinness Sinn Féin 11:45, 8 October 2002

It is open to any group to make its views known on matters of major public interest. The grammar school campaign has a legitimate interest in this. The Governing Bodies Association conducted a public advertising campaign in the newspapers, and many grammar schools held meetings with parents to discuss the Burns proposals.

That was reflected in the responses to the household survey, which showed a higher response rate from parents with children attending, or who had attended, grammar schools than from other parents. However, that does not in any way invalidate the views expressed. It is clear that many of those parents have genuine concerns about the potential impact that change will have on education standards. I shall take those concerns into account when new arrangements are being developed. My objective is to raise standards for all pupils.