An unhappy member of the audience queried the panel as to how one party was able to abolish the 11 plus without a viable alternative in place.

Whilst the most of the panel supported Martin McGuinness’ decision to abolish the 11 plus, there was more division over whether the new approach for a replacement system had been successful

Alliance leader David Ford suggested that the Minister for Education, Catriona Ruane, would benefit from further engagement with those in the Education Committee and in the education system. SDLP leader Mark Durkan was prepared to accept that such an important decision was more of a “collective responsibility” amongst all the parties, suggesting that no one was a winner in the current state of uncertainty.

Mark Durkan highlighted the conflicting positions of the different parties on this matter – do you think a compromise can be found amidst all the disagreement? Do you think Catriona Ruane needs to be more receptive to the input of the Education Committee?