Trevor Lunn MLA said: “I am pleased that the three main Protestant churches have announced similar proposals to those that I outlined last month. I stated that while my party is opposed to academic selection, we do recognise the problems caused by an unregulated system and we would support the temporary use of testing until an agreement can be reached.
“The parents of children in years 5 and 6 do not know what is going to happen to them and how they are going to cope with the unregulated chaos that will come as a consequence of the Education Minister’s decision.
“The Minister says that she is opposed to the 11-plus as it favours children of parents who can afford to pay for private tuition, and I agree with her. This unregulated system, however, will be worse as primary schools will not be preparing pupils for any tests, so if any parent wants their child to be prepared, they will have to pay for private tuition.
“This current mess can not be allowed to continue and I urge the Minister to support my suggested arrangements, as they are the only fair way forward.”
ENDS