Unions oppose 11-plus test move

Teachers' union leaders said they support the Education Minister's view

Teachers' union leaders have criticised the plan by some grammar schools to introduce their own entrance exams to take the place of the 11-plus.

The Ulster Teachers Union said it would be "totally inappropriate" to spend money allocated to the education of children to fund such tests.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation said it would be an abuse of school funds.

Both unions support the view of Education Minister Caitríona Ruane.

She has written to grammar schools warning them of the legal pitfalls of running their own exams to replace the 11-plus which ends this year.

The tests are being proposed by the Association for Quality Education which says its publicity campaign so far has been paid for out of a fund of money raised by the grammar schools.

If its independent tests go ahead, parents will pay a fee but those who claim free school meals would not be charged.

The teachers' unions have called on politicians to work through the summer to make sure that, by September, there is clear agreement on what should happen to pupils.