29 February 2008
The row over school selection in Northern Ireland is to be resolved at a meeting of Executive ministers, Finance Minister Peter Robinson has told Public Finance in an exclusive interview.
Ministers have publicly argued for months over selection policy for secondary schools. Martin McGuinness announced the abolition of the 11-plus when he was education minister in 2002. The decision was confirmed by direct rule ministers, and Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has said that the last exam will be held this year.
But no decision has been taken on next year's replacement, or whether a selective education system will be retained. Grammar schools have lobbied hard for their retention and for continued academic selection, threatening to set their own admission tests.
'I think the [education] minister has recognised that the decision can't be taken within the department and has to be taken by the Executive,' said Robinson. 'The Executive will meet at a dedicated meeting to look at that issue and will take a collective decision.'
However, with unionists supporting selection and republicans opposing it, it is difficult to see how a decision can be reached.
'That is the test for politicians,' Robinson said. 'That is what encourages and enforces consensus politics, the recognition that the status quo pertains until you have an agreement for something else. I believe we can get an agreement. I think it needs to be resolved very quickly.'
Robinson said that other ministers accepted the need to abide by collective responsibility. 'The requirement more and more is on ministers not to go on a solo run,' he said.
The full interview with Robinson will be published in PF on March 14
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