Ending Academic Selection

Division held on 3 February 2026. The Motion, As Amended, Was Carried

Decision type

Simple Majority

Method

Lobby Division

Result

The Motion, As Amended, Was Carried

Debate

Academic Selection

Official Assembly record of this division Official Report of the debate

The motion voted on

Motion (Private Members' Motion): Ending Academic Selection

That this Assembly notes with concern the continued use of academic selection and transfer tests as a means of determining post-primary school transfer within our education system; recognises the extensive body of evidence from educational experts, including the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which highlights the negative impact of academic selection on children's well-being, educational outcomes, and social mobility; further notes that research consistently shows that transfer tests cause undue stress and anxiety for young people and disproportionately disadvantage those from lower-income and working-class backgrounds, deepening educational inequalities; affirms its commitment to an education system based on equality, inclusion, and the principle that all children, regardless of background or ability, should have the opportunity to reach their full potential in a supportive and non-selective environment; calls on the Minister of Education to take steps to phase out the use of academic selection and transfer tests in post-primary admissions and to develop and implement a fair, inclusive, and non-selective system of post-primary education that ensures equality of opportunity for all children; and further calls on the Minister to prioritise action to tackle educational underachievement and close the attainment gap, particularly for children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

The motion has not been assessed yet.

Tabled by: Mr Danny Baker, Mrs Cathy Mason, Mr Pat Sheehan

Totals

How each MLA voted

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