‘Apply same logic to Transfer Test that was applied to other exams’, urges Children’s Commissioner

Expressing deep disappointment following the announcement this afternoon that this year’s post-primary transfer tests will be held at least two weeks later than usual, Koulla Yiasouma, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People said,

“This is the wrong decision for our children.

“The logic that this ‘should allow pupils extra time in school to prepare for the exams’ is not based on any sound knowledge that children will be back at school, on a full-time basis by that time.

“Regardless, we cannot think that it’s ok to make children who are 10 and 11 years old sit tests during a health pandemic when we have, rightly so, protected our GCSE and A Level students.

“I call on the same logic of predicted grades to be applied for our children due to sit the transfer test”

Reiterating her fundamental opposition to the transfer system, Koulla said,

“I am on record as being utterly opposed to any system that so profoundly selects children at this age.  It is unfair, and discriminates against children from poorer families, those with Special Educational Needs and those experiencing other adversities.

“These concerns predate the current situation.  However, until the system is changed the process for this year cannot disadvantage these children even more.

“With the absence of formal school it is anticipated that the attainment gap between those children on living in poverty and those who do not will have widened even further.

Reflecting on Education Minister, Peter Weir’s suggestion that schools in Northern Ireland are unlikely to open before September for all children, the Commissioner said,

“The Minister has also suggested that when schools do return it will be phased and children will still be learning at home for some of the week.

“To ask 10 and 11 year old children to prepare for tests under these conditions is simply not fair and will place them all under significant stress. It also presents an insurmountable challenge to those children who are still waiting for IT or have had intermittent access to education.

“If grammar schools insist on maintaining entry criteria then they must base it on another form of assessment.  Why do we trust teachers and schools in the post primary sector to decide GCSE and A Level grades but not teachers in primary schools to use their professional judgement?

“Grammar schools must rethink this system urgently”

ENDS.

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