They were expressing their views at a special public meeting on the future of the 11 plus exam held in the Wellington Park Hotel last week.

Education spokespersons for the four main political parties addressed the meeting, where they each put their party’s view across on the controversial plans by Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, to scrap the 11 plus in favour of a system of transfer at the age of 14.

Three south Belfast colleges, Hunterhouse College, Methodist College and Wellington College, are currently considering whether to adopt their own entrance exam in light of the minister’s proposals.

During the meeting, one south Belfast parent called the ongoing controversy as “the blind leading the blind”.

“I have a son who has just finished primary five and I don’t know what’s going to happen to him,” he said.

“The (education) minister has had that portfolio for 14 months and I believe she has not informed us properly.”

“I’m the mother of a primary five pupil and me and the other mums are worried about where our children are going in three years time,” said one woman.

“We need a decision — stop playing political football with this and make a decision now.”

Addressing the meeting, north Belfast MLA and member of the Assembly’s Educa

tion Committee, Nelson McCausland, said that there should be a period of “genuine debate” before any decision on the 11 plus is made.

“There needs to be a broad debate on education — the minister needs to face up to this and debate with all other political parties as we need real conversation not dictation,” said Mr McCausland.

Although she said her party “welcomed the end of the 11 plus”, SDLP spokeswoman Delores Kelly MLA said a “vacuum of leadership by the minister over the past 14 months on the issue had left parents and children fearful and uncertain for their future”.

Speaking on behalf of Minister Ruane, who could not attend the meeting, Sinn Fein Upper Bann MLA and member of the Assembly Education Committee, John O'Dowd, said the debate so far on the 11 plus had been “overshadowed by party politics and personal attacks on the minister”.

“The education committee has not put forward any documents of scrutiny on the minister’s decision,” said Mr O’Dowd.

“The 11 plus is not the answer.

“If we get the education system right then society will follow.”