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DUP's first months in charge of education see definite shift in policy

When the DUP took control of education from Sinn Féin, some upheaval was expected. Education Correspondent Simon Doyle casts a critical eye over the major changes to date

Peter Weir at Middletown Centre for Autism
Peter Weir at Middletown Centre for Autism Peter Weir at Middletown Centre for Autism

APART from a period of direct rule, in which there was little change, education remained in the hands of Sinn Féin for almost two decades.

When Sinn Féin chose to instead select the finance ministry after this year's assembly election, it meant the north had its first ever DUP education minister.

The system, therefore, could expect some upheaval - the DUP promised as much in its election manifesto.

Already, there has been a definite shift in focus on two issues on which the Executive parties are diametrically opposed.

New minister Peter Weir made a 180-degree policy reversal on the 11-plus while the growth of the Irish-medium sector has stalled.

The DUP manifesto simply promised to equip "every child with the opportunity to succeed". The party said it would also give schools more control over budgets, abolish the `Catholic teaching certificate' and repeal the law that allows schools to discriminate on religious grounds. So far, there has been no obvious progress on these.

There has been nothing else in the first few months that could really be described as particularly major. Decisions have been mostly routine and statements have, by and large, been crowd pleasers - assuring Dickson Plan stability or launching trips to Somme battlefields for pupils.

Which leaves Irish-medium and academic selection.

Unionists were left seething when, as the Stormont institutions crumbled around him in autumn 2002, Martin McGuinness made the surprise decision to set a date for the end of the 11-plus.

Political opponents viewed Mr McGuinness's announcement as an act of malice and educational vandalism - made without an agreed replacement, as the devolved government collapsed over the 'Stormontgate' arrests.

A more pro-selection approach was expected once the DUP took office this year. Unionists had waited 14 years already, so change was always going to come.

Within days of the start of the new academic year, Mr Weir told primary schools they could now prepare children for unregulated transfer tests - a decision criticised as `immature' and `out of step'.

The minister followed this by announcing that a team of educational professionals would try to simplify the selection process by creating a common assessment. This has already run into difficulties, however, with a key player, the Association of Quality Education, voicing concerns.

It is hoped a new, single 11-plus test will be ready for 2018.

When education was held by Sinn Féin, the Irish-medium sector enjoyed rapid expansion. It is now suffering a reversal of fortunes.

Since May, Mr Weir has rejected five out of six `development proposals' concerning the sector's growth. These included bids to open new nurseries, relocate a school in west Belfast and open an Irish language unit at a Derry post-primary.

Campaigners raised concern in the summer when they pointed out that the DUP promised, in its manifesto, to "tackle the preferential treatment" of Irish-medium.

While one of his earliest school visits was to Coláiste Feirste in west Belfast to view progress of work on a £15.5m extension, he spoke only about the "positive impact that investment has on our schools estate".

In addition, the DUP-led Department of Education has stopped translating publications and correspondence into the Irish language.

Elsewhere, Mr Weir launched the Investing in Teaching Workforce, which had been proposed by his Sinn Féin predecessor John O'Dowd, but on a much smaller scale than first promised.

About £8 million is available, which will see 120 teachers aged 55 and over released. This will, in turn, provide job opportunities for up to 120 recently qualified teachers. When the idea was first floated, it was said that up to 500 would leave the classroom to make way for younger staff - with £33m to be allocated by the Executive.

On a shake-up of GCSE grading, Mr Weir, when chairman of the assembly education committee, had originally raised concerns when Mr O'Dowd confirmed that grades would continue under the alphabetical system A*-G.

The DUP promised to change GCSE grades to ensure the system was compatible with "the rest of the UK" following England's adoption of a numerical system.

When he came to make his own decision, however, Mr Weir said the familiar A*-G would remain - but a new C* would be created.

He also overturned Mr O'Dowd's previous decision by saying pupils would be allowed to receive GCSE grades from English exam boards who give results using numbers from 9-1.

This means that from 2018, many pupils will receive results in both letter and number form.

Mr Weir has adopted a tough stance in recent weeks on the issue of pay for teachers. Unions are involved in industrial action, which has involved action short of strike and one walkout, with more planned in the new year.

The minister has remained firm, saying there's no more money, and has urged unions to "go back to the negotiating table for future years and to accept that the pay offer they walked away from is not in a position to be improved upon". Unions plan to step-up their action in the new year.

Coupled with growing annoyance from schools over crippling budget cuts, these are likely to be the two toughest and most important issues the minister faces. Tougher than the 11-plus and Irish-medium anyway, but it is unlikely either of those will slip too far down the agenda.