PRESS RELEASE
5 February 2009
Statement from the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education
- The publication of guidance by Minister for Education Catriona Ruane MLA on Post-Primary Transfer 2010;
- The establishment of the Trustee Support Body to support the work of all Catholic schools in NI (with effect from Jan 1st 2010);
- The draft legislation on the Review of Public Administration (RPA).
The Commission voiced its disappointment at the failure of politicians to agree a legislated approach to the issue of transfer from primary to post-primary schools. It reiterated its view that an unregulated system of transfer is the least desirable outcome for children, for parents and for schools.
In acknowledging the guidance issued by the Minister for Education on Monday 2nd February, the Commission welcomed the period of consultation provided by the Minister as a further opportunity for politicians and others to resolve this issue in the best interests of the welfare of children and the effective delivery of education. The Commission also acknowledged the value of the criteria for transfer recommended by the Minister and welcomed in particular the proposal that applicants entitled to Free School Meals should be able to gain admission to all post-primary schools at the same rate as all other applicants.
NICCE members reiterated the policy of the whole Catholic sector – espoused by Trustees and supported by CCMS and the Catholic Heads Association – that Northern Ireland should move away from the current process of academic selection by schools at age 11 to a more just, modern and fit-for-purpose process of transfer which gives every child and every school the opportunity to achieve their full potential. NICCE will continue to work for an end to the current outdated process of transfer, based on rigid academic selection.
The members of the Commission also stressed the need for the family of Catholic schools to continue to work in a cohesive and collective way based on the values of justice, communion and care for others which underpin Catholic Education. To assist Catholic schools in this regard the Commission announced the setting up of a Working Party to make recommendations on a clear and coherent way forward for the whole Catholic Sector. This group will be chaired by Mr Matt Murray, former ETI Inspector and will include Principals nominated by their colleagues from Catholic Post-Primary Maintained and Grammar schools. The working group will report to the Commission within five weeks.
NICCE will keep Principals and Boards of Governors of all Catholic Schools informed of its recommendations for a cohesive way forward for the whole Catholic Sector in light of the advice received from the Working Group.
NOTES:
The Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE) was set up in 2005 to co-ordinate the work of all Catholic School Trustees in NI. The six Northern dioceses and all the religious congregations with schools in NI have each nominated three members. The current membership is:
Bishops Patrick Walsh, Seamus Hegarty and Donal McKeown and Sr Eithne Woulfe (Sisters of St Louis), Sr Nellie McLoughlin (Sisters of Mercy) and Br. Eddie Coupe (Irish Christian Brothers).
Bishop John McAreavey attends meetings as Chair of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.
The responsibilities of NICCE include:
- Working to maintain a cohesive Catholic education system;
- Liaising with Government and other statutory bodies in regards to Catholic education;
- Developing the new Trustee Support Body, with effect from Jan 1st 2010;
- Co-ordinating Trustee interests.
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer (087 233 7797)
