BY MARK McKELVEY

As over 3,000 pupils prepare to sit the Transfer Test in the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) area this Friday, it is understood the four main churches in Northern Ireland are to attempt to help end the 11-plus stalemate.

The Church of Ireland, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches have joined together to try to find agreement in the long-running dispute, giving their backing to transfer at 14 instead of 11 years.

The churches' main focus will be on changing the age of major choices to 14, which is a policy favoured by the minister, Caitríona Ruane, and some members of the grammar schools' association, the governing bodies association.

However, a large number of voluntary, controlled and Catholic grammar schools are planning to run independent tests at 11.

The move has come as Church of Ireland Dean of the Derry and Raphoe Synod, that covers the Omagh district area, the Rev William Morton issued an urgent message to the Assembly to clarify the confusion surrounding the 11-plus, stating, children were being used as political pawns.

He said, "It is completely unacceptable that school principals, teachers, parents and children remain in this state of confusion as to the way forward regarding the transfer process.

"Derry and Raphoe Synod deplores the apparent lack of planning and failure to consult with parents and teachers regarding pupils facing the transition from primary to post-primary level. We find this unacceptable."

This stance taken by the four main churches was welcomed by Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has welcomed the statement on education, saying it was a "helpful intervention".

She said, "Over many months I have been working to build a consensus and have met people from all sectors involved in education, including the churches.

"The proposals I have put forward recognise the different positions of people I met and offer a compromise through the three year transition period, during which academic selection could be used.

"I welcome the recognition from the Churches that academic selection at 11 could be replaced with the identification of educational pathways at 14.

"There is still time to reach a consensus, but we also need to bring an early conclusion to this debate and bring clarity to teachers, parents and pupils."

Meanwhile, the WELB's Transfer and Open Enrolment Section at Board Headquarters is presently engaged in co-ordinating procedures on behalf of CCEA, to ensure that the transfer procedure tests run smoothly.

In a statement the WELB said they had sent out information clearly explaining the transfer of pupils will take place.

It stated, "Principals, parents/guardians and pupils will already have received a leaflet from the Department of Education (DE) entitled 'A Guide for Parents'. This leaflet fully explains the arrangements for the transfer of pupils from primary to post primary education in September 2009. A further DE leaflet will be issued to parents/guardians in December giving advice on 'Considering post primary schools and applying for a place'.

"The WELB's Information booklet 'A Guide for Parents/Guardians' which gives details about each post primary school and their published admissions criteria will be available in January 2009 from schools, Board Headquarters, libraries and the Board's website www.welbni.org (under publications, then the services we offer and finally school enrolment and transfer).

"The WELB would like to take this opportunity to extend good wishes to all pupils, parents/guardians, principals and teachers in the coming months."