Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has addressed the Teachers’ Union of Ireland’s National Congress in Ennis Co Clare
Speaking at the conference the Minister said: “I want to build partnerships with all trade unions within the education sector. I believe through co-operation we can work together to ensure that we put the needs of all our children first.
“Over the years we have seen a growing co-operation between the north and south. Both my Department and the Department for Education and Skills have worked closely on a number of issues and projects. These have included the recent Numeracy Conference held in Enniskillen and the development of the Centre for Autism in Middletown, Co Armagh.
“Within the north we are bringing forward a number of progressive reforms to ensure that we have an equality-based education system we can be proud of. Teachers and school staff are at the forefront of implementing these changes. It is through their hard work and dedication that we continue to move forward in raising educational standards for all.
“Education professionals and teaching unions have for many years called for the ending of academic selection and the 11 plus. The claims we had a world class education system here in the north have long been exposed as being unfounded. Far too many children still leave school without the adequate qualifications to equip them for the future and ensure they reach their full potential. Despite opposition, the implementation of Transfer 2010 by my Department has ensured we now have a non-selective policy, ending a system that rejected children, destroyed their confidence and created inequality.