Education Crisis continues

The apparent blackmailing of teachers in Northern Ireland’s primary schools is another shocking twist to the continuing debacle that has been caused by the lack of clarity from Sinn Féin Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane MLA. This has not been helped by the apparent incapability of the NI Executive to work together on any issue.

Education committee hears of blackmail

The news of the blackmail came today as the main teaching unions gave evidence to the Assembly’s Education Committee. Representatives of the NASUWT, UTU, ATL were at Stormont. They told of parents stating that unless pupils were ‘coached’ for the grammar school’s tests, the children would be moved to different schools.

With most of the Province’s grammar schools opting for some sort of academic test and the secondary schools going to follow the minister’s guidelines, it leaves primary school children, their parents, teachers and the entire of NI society not knowing quite what will happen in the autumn.

Expect better work next term

The end of term is drawing nigh not only for our schoolchildren but also our MLAs. Perhaps the best school report for the Executive – and particularly Caitríona Ruane is “performs not too badly in oral lessons, but tends to be less diligent in her homework. Must try harder. Expect better work next term”.