End Holy Cross protest, urges McGuinness
Children should be allowed to travel to school free from any harassment in Northern Ireland, Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness insisted today.
During Sinn Fein’s education debate at its annual conference in Dublin, Mr McGuinness demanded an end to the loyalist protests at the Holy Cross Primary School, in north Belfast.
‘‘As a republican and as minister for education, I have to proclaim: Education is a right, not a privilege,’’ he told delegates.
‘‘Every child has a right to travel unhindered to school and to be educated in a safe and secure environment.
‘‘We still have present in our minds the image of little children being spat at, being screamed at, being stoned and bombed on the Ardoyne Road in north Belfast.
‘‘Our thoughts are with the children, parents and teachers of Holy Cross Girls Primary School today.
‘‘It is not acceptable that young children be hostage in this way to what is essentially a political and community issue.’’
In a speech reviewing his handling of the education portfolio at Stormont, the Mid Ulster MP restated his opposition to the 11-Plus selection test for post primary schooling.
‘‘Far from reducing social and educational disadvantage, selection at 11 has amplified it,’’ Mr McGuinness declared.
‘‘The transfer test discriminates against children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. Two thirds of our children who do not gain a grammar school place feel like failures.
‘‘Some parents will pay for their children to receive coaching at home in order to pass. The primary school curriculum is being distorted by preparation for the test.
‘‘Everyone knows where I stand on the 11 Plus, I think it is unfair and iniquitous and I want it abolished.’’
The minister said he was looking forward to the review of post primary education in the province being completed soon.
It was his hope it would lead to an education system which ‘‘cherishes all of our children equally’’.
Mr McGuinness also told the conference his decision to scrap school performance tables had paved the way for a fairer education system.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the development of education on an all-Ireland basis.
As a minister, he said he was addressing equality for Irish language schools, had begun moves to increase nursery provision and had directed more funding towards special needs education.
Delegates passed motions reaffirming Sinn Fein’s opposition to the 11-Plus and calling on the Irish Government to address the lower participation of the working class young people in third level education by raising grants and increasing on-campus accommodation.
