Lukewarm response to 11-plus report

Review of the test was published on Wednesday

The two main unionist parties in Northern Ireland have failed to give a warm welcome to plans to change the education system in the province.

An end to the controversial 11-plus transfer test has been recommended following a review of the education system.

A 300-page report by the Post Primary Review body, which was published on Wednesday, suggested that the test be scrapped within two years.

The Ulster Unionist Party and Democratic Unionist Party are most supportive of the grammar school system in the province.

Ulster Unionists have not yet commented on the report, except to say they had a number of concerns and were still studying the report.

Sammy Wilson: Report authors criticised

But the DUP has strongly criticised it as "naive, poorly thought out and contradictory".

The party's education spokesman, Sammy Wilson, said it was in effect a "comprehensive system, under another guise".

However, Patricia Lewsley of the SDLP said she hoped the recommendations were implemented as soon as possible.

She said: "We have maintained our opposition to selection on the grounds that the system is unfair."

Party colleague Tommy Gallagher said the end of selection was long overdue.

Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff said the plan had the potential to "transform the educational landscape".

Academic selection

Eileen Bell of the Alliance Party praised the review body, but said the report would require very close consideration.

The Women's Coalition described some of the suggestions as "interesting" and, in an initial response, welcomed the prospect of an end to the 11-plus.

Pupils currently in primary six could be the last to sit the test, which determines to which type of school they will transfer.

The review was ordered last year by Education Minister Martin McGuinness and is now open to consultation for the next six months.

The least happy with an end to academic selection is the grammar school lobby, represented by the Governing Bodies Association.