Vol. 432 No. 1
38 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education when she proposes introducing the ban on selection procedures for entry to second level schools as outlined by her at the recent teacher conferences; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
78 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education when she proposes introducing the ban on selection procedures for entry to second level schools as outlined by her at the recent teacher conferences; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
79 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Education when she proposes introducing the ban on selection procedures for entry to second level schools as outlined by her at the recent teacher conferences; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
109 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if, in regard to her comments at the teacher union conference where she described selective entrance examinations for secondary schools as totally unacceptable she will give details of steps, if any, she intends to take to outlaw this practice; if, in particular she will withhold grants from schools who operate such a practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 78, 79 and 109 together.
In my address to the teachers congresses, I expressed my concern that a barrier to equality of education was the system of selection tests operated by some second-level schools. I indicated that selection tests based on pupils' academic ability are totally unacceptable to me.
My Department has already invited the representatives of managerial authorities of second-level schools to discuss this issue with a view to having selective entrance tests of this nature discontinued. I am confident that I will have the support of the managerial associations for my policy in this matter.
