Let's move forward... to a better education

Northern Ireland's selective education system is grossly unfair to disadvantaged children, research by NICVA in every constituency has shown. They are four times more likely to be in secondary schools than in grammar schools.

In secondary schools 30% of children are from disadvantaged backgrounds (eligible for free school meals) but grammar schools admit only 7%. In every single part of Northern Ireland grammar schools are more privileged than secondary schools but the worst inequality is in Lagan Valley, East and South Belfast, North Down and Strangford.

"We have the opportunity in Northern Ireland to create an education system that will meet the needs of all children and young people. We cannot be held back by people defending their privileges," said NICVA chief executive Seamus McAleavey. "This research shows that the claim that the 11-plus helps working class children is bogus. Very few of them pass the tests and go to grammar schools."

"We can build on the strengths of the system and give all children a fair chance. That means more investment in pre-school education and children's services, it requires improvements in primary education in disadvantaged areas and it needs to be backed up by tackling poverty. But it must also include abolishing selection at the age of 10 or 11."

PROTESTANT INEQUALITY
The NICVA research also shows that inequality within the Protestant community is far worse than in the Catholic community. Less than 4% of students in Protestant grammar schools are eligible for free school meals compared with just under 24% of students in Protestant secondary schools, six times more. In Catholic secondary schools, 36% of pupils are from disadvantaged homes, three times more than the 11% of students in Catholic grammar schools.

South Belfast is the only constituency where inequality was worse in the Catholic community. By contrast, in Upper Bann, Belfast North and Foyle inequality within Protestant schools was much worse than within Catholic schools. In six constituencies no comparisons could be made.

POOR GRADES
Other research by NICVA shows that 41% of all school leavers do not have acceptable qualifications (five or more good GCSEs or three A levels); that was 10,575 young people in 2004 alone. Among secondary leavers, 63% did not gain good grades.

"A good education system does not shut off possibilities for young people; they simply do not fall into two neat groups of academic and non-academic children. All must continue to learn and develop and gradually take decisions, along with their parents, on the sort of education and training they would like and be suited to," Mr Mc Aleavey added.

NICVA has a special interest in issues of poverty and inequality but has wider views on selection at the age of 11. NICVA has also produced two briefing papers on the government's proposals to abolish academic selection and will be making a formal response to the consultation.

For more information contact Paul McGill at NICVA on 028 9087 7777 or 0772 1746 805 (m).