Testing times for primary pupils

NOT since Thamus’ judgement that the invention of writing would be a burden on society has progress in education been so thwarted.

We refer to the decision of Minister Dempsey to make standardised testing of pupils a requirement at primary school level.

As educationalists - of whom the majority have an average of 30 years’ primary teaching experience each - we are puzzled and dismayed at Minister Dempsey’s sudden decision to impose mandatory standardised testing on primary school children.