Minister 'keeps assembly in dark'

Caitriona Ruane was labelled "the minister for mess"

The education minister is still keeping assembly members in the dark about the transfer system, a UUP assembly member has said.

Basil McCrea said Caitriona Ruane still had to clarify many issues.

It follows a debate in the assembly during which Ms Ruane was labelled "the minister for mess" by the DUP.

However, she told those opposed to change that she would "not be deflected from leading the progressive reform process currently under way".

In December, Ms Ruane said the 11-plus would end in 2008 with pupils deciding their next move at the age of 14, but few practical details were revealed.

Earlier this month, she was heavily criticised at a stormy committee meeting.

This process will provide an education system that is reflective of society and that will cater for the increasingly diverse needs of our children Caitriona Ruane, Education Minister

On Monday, Mr McCrea said the minister had attacked the education committee and the media for "having the audacity to ask questions about the future of our schools".

"The debate in the assembly was a frightening revelation of the minister's incompetence and her unwillingness to be held accountable," he said.

"Accountability is at the very heart of parliamentary democracy.

"The purpose of the Northern Ireland Assembly is not to be a tame, safe platform for an education minister to mouth meaningless platitudes about 'vision' and 'change', but a chamber in which she is held to account, answering meaningful questions about her actions - or lack of them."

'Diverse needs'

The DUP's Alastair Ross said the assembly had once again "called upon the education minister to bring forward detailed proposals for post primary transfer in order to ease the concerns of parents, pupils and teachers".

"Perhaps she should be the minister for mess, confusion and evasion as she refuses tell us what her grand plans are and has a canny ability to refuse to answer questions," he said.

However, Ms Ruane said she was undertaking is "the biggest reform of the education system here since its inception".

"This process will provide an education system that is reflective of society and that will cater for the increasingly diverse needs of our children," she said.

"There are those who are opposed to this change and who wish to retain the antiquated system we currently have. Those personalising this important debate, rather than positively engaging, will not deflect me from moving forward this process of reform."