11 March 2002
McGUINNESS LAUNCHES POST-PRIMARY REVIEW CONSULTATION PACK
Education Minister, Martin McGuinness MP MLA, today launched a consultation pack, including a video, about the review of post-primary education.
Speaking to an invited audience from the education sector, Mr McGuinness said: "This review is the most important issue facing education today. It is vital that we have an informed debate and the materials in this consultation pack are designed to aid and support discussion of the proposals made by the Review Body on Post-Primary Education; increase understanding of the key issues involved in the post-primary review, and to explain the arrangements for consultation. I expect that it will be used as the focus for discussion among Governors, school staff, parents and the local community."
The Minister stressed the neutrality of the materials: "The video does not promote any particular view of the Burns proposals. I decided that the materials should be politically neutral because I strongly believe that the consultation must rise above party political lines and be conducted on education issues.
"I would like to thank the Assembly Education Committee for its helpful comments, which led to a number of changes designed to clarify the issues further and help people make an informed contribution to the review."
Referring to the post-primary review, the Minister said: "We must put children at the heart of everything we do and give priority to their interests above those of existing structures. The view has been expressed that life is a test and the idea that every child can succeed is pie in the sky. I reject that view, which condemns the majority of our children to failure. It has no place in the society that we are trying to establish, based on fairness and equality for all.
"On the contrary, I believe that every child can succeed and must be given the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or circumstances. That is their right and that is our responsibility as educators."
Media enquiries to Jill Garrett 028 9127 9356/07788 108735 or Karen Boyd 028 9127 9207/07876 395489
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The consultation process runs until 28 June and the Minister has invited:
- Comments on the Review Body’s proposals;
- Suggestions for modifications to those proposals;
- Suggestions for alternative arrangements.
The consultation packs will issue to schools in week commencing 18 March.
The pack contains:
A 30-minute video, which has a number of aims:
- It sets out the background which led to the current review and outlines the main proposals made by the Review Body;
- It includes comments from school principals and representatives of further and higher education together with points of clarification by members of the Review Body to some of the issues raised;
- It outlines how the public and schools can respond to the consultation.
The participants featured in the video are:
- Gerry Burns and Tom Shaw from the Review Body on Post Primary Education
- Ciaran Hedley, St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Belfast
- Jack Wallace, Cavehill Primary School, Belfast
- Anne McGrath, Little Flower School, Belfast
- John Stevenson, Sullivan Upper School, Holywood
- Wilfred Mulryne, Methodist College, Belfast
- Margaret Martin, St Catherine’s College, Armagh
- Victor Outram, Enniskillen High School
- Sarah Kelly, Thornhill College
- John Magowan, Clondermot High School
- Brian Turtle, Director, North Down Institute of Further and Higher Education
- Professor Gerry McKenna, Vice Chancellor, University of Ulster
- Professor, Sir George Bain, Vice Chancellor, Queen’s University of Belfast
Supporting materials for the video include:
- Speaking notes which can be used to facilitate group discussion
- A summary of the Review Body’s main proposals for the information of those taking part in a group discussion
- The Review Body’s answers to a number of frequently asked questions.
The Burn’s Report, which was published on 24 October 2001, can be read on the Department’s website:
www.deni.gov.uk
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