The Transfer Test

This morning my oldest child is facing the transfer test, joining thousands of others throughout the province who have spent endless hours preparing in school and at home for the event. Mercifully, I never had to do this kind of thing when I was a kid, and to be honest it has passed me by over the years until recent weeks and months when I have been drawn into the drama of it all.

Recently, Philippa completed a paper at home, leaving one question unanswered. My wife and I, both educated to degree standard and avid readers might I add, then spent 20 minutes trying to answer that poetry question and ended up guessing on the multiple choice options. Now I admit I’m not the sharpest pencil in the case but this was beyond ridiculous.

I’m left with a sense of regret at the way we have debased education. Its strictly utilitarian value is seen in the way the government tells us we need to train scientists because they are needed for the economy. Not a thought to educating scientists because science may be thrilling or noble pursuit.

I need to remind myself that this test is neither critical to my child’s future, nor utterly unimportant. Life in all its wonder and complexity offers many routes to her to develop as a human being, of which formal education is but one. And anyway, we all know stupid educated people, because even though we would like it otherwise, education does not necessarily make us wise.

I need to teach my child that to be successful at this thing we call life, it’s far better to live wisely.

Truly blessed is the one who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding, for wisdom takes into its view the layered depths of a whole life, not just the crusted surface appearance. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding. Buy the truth and do not sell it, get wisdom, discipline and understanding. So says the book of Proverbs.

Wisdom tells us that our children are not products marking the success or otherwise of a school system. Still less are they the raw materials for an economy, nor bargaining chips for desperate politicians. And their performance today is not an infallible indicator of our abilities as parents. To that end therefore my best wishes are with Y7D in Kilmaine PS, and indeed with all those who must endure the test today. Do your best this morning. But remember there’s no need to rush, the rest of your life will come at its own pace.

[BBC Radio Ulster Thought for the Day, broadcast live on Friday, 10 November, 2006, the day of the first of two transfer tests for 11 year olds in Northern Ireland.]