COSTELLO REPORT ON THE ABOLITION OF ACADEMIC SELECTION IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Early day motion 1392, tabled 23 June 2004 by Jeffrey Donaldson (DUP). Signed by 59 members.

That this House is concerned about the recommendations of the Costello Report on post-primary education and regrets the decision to abolish academic selection in Northern Ireland; notes that this decision is contrary to the wishes of a clear majority of respondents to the Household Survey commissioned by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland who expressed support for the retention of academic selection; believes that this hasty pronouncement will damage the education system generally and grammar schools in particular; and calls on the Government to suspend the decision to abolish academic selection pending the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly when the local parties will have an opportunity to reach a consensus on the way forward.

Signatures by party: Conservative 48, DUP 5, UUP 4, Independent Conservative 1, Labour 1.