Post-Primary Transfer

Part of Ministerial Statement – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 12:30 pm on 4 March 2008.

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Photo of Caitriona Ruane Caitriona Ruane Sinn Féin 12:30, 4 March 2008

I am sorry; I ask that Mr Kennedy refrain from interrupting me.

That school provides academic and vocational pathways, and I bear in mind Trevor’s comments, with which I agree. The process that brought about that system was very good, and we can learn certain things from it. Obviously, rather than examining just one sector, we need to consider collaboration between all different sectors. Given that, however, the way in which the proposals for Keady were made is certainly a shining example. School inspectors confirm that it is an amazing school that performs very well.

There is a great deal of good practice in many areas, which I have already mentioned — Ballyclare, Bally­mena, Limavady, Derry, Newry, Omagh, and Cookstown. The educationalists in those areas are ahead of the posse, and they are saying that we need change and that we need to work together. Let us do that. I know that those educationalists will value the vision that has been announced today because they know that changes need to happen.