Education Minister Caitriona Ruane must go

I called for the Minister for Education’s resignation last night at the SDLP Conference. Full text of my speech below:

The history of this island is littered with occasions when the poor, the weak or the young have been used as political pawns.

For centuries our young men were sent to fight other people’s wars.

Throughout the troubles selfish ideologues sacrificed an entire generation’s hopes on the bomb fire of their political vanity. We know this.

The SDLP was there supporting teachers, youth workers and councillors in communities across the north who offered young people an alternative to the false promise of IRA or UDA martyrdom.

This party of teachers gave hope and educated the generation who are now building the new North. Working people with dreams passed down from the classroom and parents who held the line when the streets were calling.

Despite the current economic gloom, we have never had more opportunity then we do today. Yet for the past thousand days a minister has ignored the opportunity for a better future for our children opting instead to use them as canon fodder in a failed ideological battle which she is incapable of winning.

The proclamation of independence demanded that we cherish all of the children equally. That we put them first and let politics serve them not rule them.

It is an indictment of this Minister delegates that tens of thousands of children will receive the results of a private test tomorrow.

Over 100,000 parents and countless teachers are living under a cloud of uncertainty, unable to answers their sons and daughters questions and unable to take the important decisions which will play such an important role in shaping their future.

There is no debate about the fact that the 11 plus is not working. There is no credible voice on any side saying the solution is to keep it.

Four years ago a British Labour Minister, filling in while the DUP and Sinn Fein took their time getting their act together got the parties, all the parties, to agree to a set of principles. The 11plus would go, there would be a structured discussion about how and if children were selected and when.

Within a week of arriving in office Caitriona Ruane dismissed the Angela Smyth initiative and set us all back to square one.

Her performance since then has led many to do their own thing. The issue has also become a sectarian football, feeding the worst prejudices of both the DUP and Sinn Fein.

Delegates, you know things are bad when the Belfast Telegraph has to step in to do the minister’s jobs. I know you will join my in saluting the leadership, Dominic Bradley has shown on this issue. Unlike the Minister he is building new relationships and standing shoulder to shoulder for a better future even if our minister cannot.

We should support him and use the floor of the assembly and the committee room in Stormont to promote a child centred debate which leaves tired old ideology at the door and brings only a shared desire to build a system we can all be proud of, and which cherishes and grows the abilities of all our children.

Ms Ruane is loosing in office. She is trampling all over the very principles of republicanism. Her face is synonymous with failure, in government and in the class room.

It is time for her to go in the interests of children and in the interests of the Executive.

Let a republican who believes in and is willing to be guided by the cherished principles of equality and justice to the job.