Sinn Fein Education Minister designate, Caitriona Ruane, may find herself at odds with DUP Education Committee chairman, Sammy Wilson.
It follows a pledge of support for the continued growth of Irish language schools and integrated education - despite the Assembly facing the prospect of significant school closures in Northern Ireland.
Ms Ruane, speaking to a Belfast newspaper ahead of her attendance at a fund-raising event at an Irish-medium nursery school in Downpatrick on Friday (27/04/07) said.
"One of the challenges facing me as future Minister for Education will be to take forward the idea of sharing within and between schools. Irish-medium schools offer a valuable educational environment.
I want to support parental choice and to continue to develop both the Irish-medium and integrated sectors.
As with other sectors it is also important that the Irish-medium sector challenges itself by listening to others and discussing possible future opportunities."
Meanwhile, the DUPs Wilson has been strongly critical of the expansion of minority school sectors at a time when pupil numbers are falling. His party is also on record as opposed to an Irish language Act for the North. However given that a pledge on an Act was part of the St Andrews agreement they may be 'swimming against the tide'.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
28/04/07
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