Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has said those supporting or facilitating transfer tests need to think about the mental health and wellbeing of children and do the right thing. 

The education spokesperson said: 

“The Children’s Commissioner and the Mental Health Champion, who was appointed by the health minister, have both raised serious concerns about the impact the stress surrounding transfer tests is having on the mental health of children. 

“The health and education ministers need to listen to those concerns. 

“We are talking about ten and eleven-year-old children who missed three months of classroom schooling before the summer, many of whom have missed up to eight weeks this academic year through self isolation, and are now facing a further six weeks not in school. 

“These tests are unfair and should not be going ahead any year but it is incomprehensible that the education minister expects young children to deal with that anxiety and trauma and sit exams in these circumstances. 

“Those still supporting or facilitating these unfair tests need to get real and think about the mental health and wellbeing of children.”