I was very disappointed by Bishop Noel Treanor’s response when he was asked if he believed schools should use non-academic criteria for one year, or agree to a longer term phasing out of the entrance test. He refused to answer the question and continued to distract with irrelevancies about how he had been in contact with the three Belfast grammar schools to express his interest and support for their work in these challenging times.
These are the three grammar schools which unlike Bishop Treanor didn’t mince their words but came straight out and said that it was business as usual as far as the transfer tests were concerned. The bishop’s response then is to write to them and express his interest and support for their work instead of challenging them. He then goes on to say that: “I know and am assured by them that they have the welfare of all children as their primary concern.”
It’s hard to reconcile this comment with the reality of forcing 10 year olds who have already been through more than enough to sit a set of tests in November and December for which many, and more particularly those children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, will be ill-prepared.
The Catholic Principals Association have already clearly set out their objections to the test in a full page advertisement in The Irish News... “the inevitable emotional distress of primary school children during this pandemic and the impact of prolonged school disruption. These tensions and anxieties will be very significantly compounded by the well attested stresses and strains of transfer.”
The leadership of the Catholic Church under Archbishop Eamon Martin has given clear and unequivocal guidance as to where the Church stands as regards to the future of the transfer test, as have our politicians, teachers and their unions. Bishop Treanor by his refusal to commit is out of step with the leadership of the Church. In this instance he’s also on the wrong side of history.
JIM CURRAN
Downpatrick, Co Down
Educational disadvantage and inequality seems to be ingrained in DUP mindset
In reply to M Hagan’s letter (June 12) which makes reference to a health service in need of healing and an education system in need of reform, I should like to add these observations.
One of the hallmarks of a developed society is how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members – in this regard, both the above sectors have been found wanting. If those involved in the education sector want to do better in the future, they must pause, remind themselves of the purpose of education and acknowledge the rights of every child to a quality school experience.
It is imperative that each individual gets an equal opportunity to benefit from a rich learning environment in which they are challenged, supported and resourced to reach their full potential.
It behoves those who administer, manage, staff and support schools not to lose sight of the fact that their ‘raison d’etre’ is to meet the needs of all, without distinction, and to make decisions which ensure that all students receive their full entitlement. It ought not to be the remit of educational establishments to select pupils for the purpose of maintaining the status quo, perpetuating a questionable sense of superiority and achieving ‘success’ at all costs.
M Hagan’s assertion that ‘social distancing’ is not a new practice has been demonstrated in a recent remark attributed to the Minister of Education in relation to the reopening of schools. His idea of a possible scenario in which P7 pupils taking the transfer test would have access to school for four days each week while those not taking the test would return for two days is disturbing.
The educational disadvantage and inequality referred to by M Hagan seems to be ingrained in the mindset of Minister Weir and his supporters. Such thinking is contemptible and should be challenged by all fair minded stakeholders.
PAUL ROGERS
Ballymena, Co Antrim
Bandwagon virtue hard to take
Lorry loads of bandwagon virtue signalling in recent weeks after yet another atrocious killing of a black man in the US is hard to take. Where are all the politicians, media, celebrity and often middle-class white activists every single week when black people are being murdered in the US as a matter of routine?
Is the violent loss of a young black person’s life somehow less harrowing when it is caused by another black person? Chicago had 425 murders from January to October 2019. 75% of Chicago murdered are black. 71% of Chicago murderers are black (2015 police report).
Where is the anguish, despair and genuine conviction of the slogan ‘Black Lives Matter’ in relation to these horrendous realities?
When 13% of the US population is black yet 40% of all abortions in the US are from the black community where is the outrage and despair? How is it that the very same politicians, media and activists desperate to be seen promoting the slogan ‘Black Lives Matter’ are not apparently at all uncomfortable with the loss of an estimated 20 million black lives to abortion since 1973? When exactly do black lives matter then?
Can black members of Black Lives Matter not see that their community is being actively decimated one way or another by the policies or indifference of the same politicians (usually white) seeking black votes?
BJ TURBETT
Strabane, Co Tyrone
Better than crying alone
In reply to Wilson Burgess’s letter (June 8) about Irish dancing in church, I wish to say, as an old age pensioner living alone, these days of Covid-19 are long, and my only consolation is to watch the Holy Mass. I laughed with joy when I saw the dancing at the end of Mass. Believe me it beats crying alone in these desperate times.
ANNE McKAVANAGH
Derrytrasna, Co Armagh
Threat to health
In reply to Robert Sullivan (June 19) I have not encountered the discarded face masks yet but the disposable gloves on pavements and grass verges is shocking and a threat to health. Please dispose of your gloves properly after you use them. You know who you are – practice what you have been taught.
MARY McDONALD
Belfast BT8
