Archbishop Eamon Martin's call last month for the unregulated system of transfer tests to be suspended this year due to the coronavirus pandemic was swiftly rejected by the education minister Peter Weir.
The reason given by the minister, an ardent supporter of academic selection, was that there was 'no viable alternative to put in its place', despite the fact that a number of grammars in Northern Ireland had previously moved away from the 11-plus exam.
However, the Archbishop's intervention has clearly struck a chord among those who are deeply concerned about the impact of an already stressful examination process on children who have missed out on months of their education as a result of the virus.
Of course, many teachers and parents are opposed to the current system and would welcome an alternative that protected youngsters aged ten and eleven from the pressures of a rigorous examination process.
But even those who firmly support academic selection must accept that this global crisis has completely changed the educational landscape, imposing a degree of uncertainty that makes it exceptionally difficult to plan for the months ahead.
Simply getting pupils of all ages back into the classroom from September will be an enormous challenge and may involve homeworking for part of the week while there is also the fear that we could be hit by a second wave of Covid-19 in the autumn.
Schools are thinking carefully about these important issues and a number have decided not to use the selection tests this year.
This decision by five Catholic grammars in Newry and Kilkeel will be regarded as a welcome development that hopefully will be followed by others in this sector.
Lagan College integrated school in Belfast has also opted out of academic selection, citing the exceptional circumstances that P6 children are experiencing.
Meanwhile, 24 primary schools in the North Down and Ards area have joined together to call on post-primary schools to suspend use of the tests this year, saying the needs and wellbeing of pupils must be prioritised.
There is clearly momentum building on this issue and the reality is that no one can guarantee what the situation will be in the autumn and winter.
Now is the time to consider alternative arrangements that take account of the unprecedented period we are living in.
