New education minister Peter Weir has promised to support the continuation of the two-tier Dickson Plan system of transfer.
Mr Weir made the pledge during a visit to Birches PS in Portadown, where he was joined by First Minister Arlene Foster.
The former Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) backtracked in 2014 over a proposal to merge the grammar and non-grammar schools involved in the Dickson Plan.
The Dickson Plan transformed education in north Armagh in the late 1960s, against the background of a shift towards comprehensive schooling in Britain and the building of the new city of Craigavon.
It offers 'junior high' schools (for ages 11-14). Only at age 14 do pupils then transfer to one of three grammars or two non-grammars.
Late educationalist Jack Dickson believed delaying selection until 14 could be fairer to children, easier for teachers, and make for more mature decisions about the best type of school for each child.
The model never spread beyond Craigavon, however.
The intention had been that more Catholic schools would be involved as the planned system grew with the city of Craigavon, but neither the city nor the system expanded.
Two Catholic schools that should have been involved in delayed selection arrangements - Lismore and Drumcree - instead became comprehensive schools.
The amalgamation of St Michael's Grammar, St Mary's High and St Paul's Junior High in Lurgan in 2014, ended Catholic schools' involvement.
Former education minister John O'Dowd said he was deeply concerned that despite recognition that all pupils in the non-Catholic sector did not have access to equitable educational provision, the SELB failed to come forward with a plan to resolve this.
His successor, however, has now moved to re-assure the schools still operating the model.
"It is important that lessons are learned to improve our system, but also that we protect what is working within our system," Mr Weir said.
"During the last mandate there were considerable concerns created by the threat to effectively dismantle the Dickson Plan system. The Dickson Plan has proved very successful in this local area with strong support from the local community.
"I want to assure people locally that I will be offering support and assurance for the continuation of the Dickson Plan system, and will be ushering in a period of educational stability on the issue. This is something that works, and so I will ensure that the Dickson Plan is not removed either directly or undermined through stealth, and that any threat is now lifted."
