Sunday, November 23, 2008
“playtime’s over for the Education Minister..”
Read Jim Fitzpatrick riffing on the genius of Donald Rumsfeld, when applied to the impending de-regulation by default of the Northern Ireland post-primary transfer process, before watching his report from today’s Politics Show - there are known unknowns, indeed. The Education Minister, Sinn Féin’s Caitriona Ruane, wasn’t available for interview this morning, not that her previous appearances have proved enlightening, so Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd joined the DUP’s Mervyn Storey in the studio to restate their parties’ positions on academic selection. I’ve put their contributions below the fold [To avoid scaring the children? - Ed] You may think that, Ed..
Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd and the DUP’s Mervyun Storey on BBC NI Politics Show 23/11/08.
Pete Baker @ 03:09 PM
The Education Minister, Sinn Féin’s Caitriona Ruane, wasn’t available for interview this morning,
I thought the point of a NI was accountability? Ruane must have a very busy schedule coz she almost ALWAYS unavailable. Poor O’dowd must hardly ever get to see the family!
Posted by on Nov 23, 2008 @ 05:02 PMthere is no part of any democracy that requires politicians to appear before the press by writ of law
Posted by on Nov 23, 2008 @ 07:20 PMWhy put a minister up against a light weight like Meryvn Storey?
Posted by on Nov 23, 2008 @ 07:30 PMTalking of Rummy, the New York Times has been generous to give him a chance to give his side of the story…
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/opinion/23rumsfeld.html?_r=2&pagewanted=print
Posted by on Nov 23, 2008 @ 08:24 PM“PS - Of course the 11-plus isn’t biased, the fact that the English comprehension in this year’s first paper was based on a recipe for “bruschetta” is merely an indication of the ubiquitous nature of Mediterranean cooking. What next, a maths question on how the credit crunch has damaged the value of daddy’s stock market investments?”
Is this for real?
Posted by on Nov 23, 2008 @ 10:16 PMWillis,
Why don’t you take up your concerns over the “bruschetta” with Gavin Boyd the ESA supremo? Perhaps his expense account culinary experiences with the media and “influencers” influenced him so much that he insisted upon the comprehension passage’s inclusion.
Your maths example could have more readily included the exponentially increasing CETV value of Boyd’s pension from CCEA or the amortised cost of his limo rides around the various “educationalist” groups he controls.
Do the kids at Betty Orr’s Edenbrooke Primary on the Shankill not have bruschetta on their free school meal menu?
Or are you just miffed that academic selection remains a legal entitlement and the Minister has no mission of enforcing her will to remove equality of opportunity for disadvantaged children?
Posted by on Nov 24, 2008 @ 09:45 AMLost your tongue Willis?
Or did you swallow it when you heard the CCEA spokesperson Richard Hanna on BBC Radio Ulster Talkback asserting that the 11-plus was to rank order candidates seeking a place for grammar school?
Grade D on the bruschetta furore Willis. Your implication that the question would be beyond the comprehension of the working class or disadvantaged is contemptuous. It also reveals a lack of understanding over testing and assessment. In that respect you are similar to Gavin Boyd and the ESA.
Posted by on Nov 27, 2008 @ 08:49 AM