Education minister Caitriona Ruane announced proposals last week to scrap the 11 plus exam and move to a 14 plus system. This would be based not on testing but on matching children to the schools that best suit them.
But Michelle McIlveen, member of the DUP and the Northern Ireland Assembly's Education Committee, rubbished Ruane's plans.
"The minister seems oblivious to the fact that the DUP secured academic selection," she said. "She requires the support of the DUP to change that position. How does she propose to pass this without cross-party and cross-community support?"
Fellow DUP member Alistair Ross agreed that academic selection must be a part of any proposals brought forward.
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