The North's education system is set to undergo the most fundamental changes in its history following the publication of a report recommending that the controversial 11 Plus exam be abolished.
However, the exam will remain in place until at least 2003, to facilitate consultation on the proposals.
The 11 Plus usually determines the kind of post-primary school a child will attend - an academic grammar school or a less prestigious secondary school.
Speaking yesterday at the publication of the report, by the Independent Review Body on Post Primary Education, the body's chairman, Mr Gerry Burns, said the test should be replaced by a new transfer system based on the continuous assessment of children during their last three years at primary school.
The pupil profile would provide a comprehensive "picture of a child's achievements, aptitudes, attitudes to learning and developmental needs in a holistic way".
On the basis of the profile teachers could then advise parents on the post-primary school best suited to their child, but ultimately the choice would lie with parents.
Post-primary schools would not be able to refuse applications on grounds of a child's academic performance. Instead, the most important criteria for acceptance would be if the child had a sibling at the school, was the oldest child, or was related to a staff member.
The review body has also proposed the creation of 20 collegiates across the North which would, where possible, contain denominational, non-denominat-ional, integrated, and Irish medium schools, as well as former secondary and grammar schools.
A high degree of co-operation and independence between the schools in each collegiate is envisaged. They would be run by a board of principals from the member institutions.
The report recommends that post-primary schools offer broadly the same curriculum for the first three years, with students only beginning to specialise in their fourth year. At this stage pupils could opt to do part of their studies at another school within the collegiate, or move to a different school. It is anticipated that many of the facilities within collegiates would be shared.
Mr Burns warned that the document could not be cherry-picked. "It is crucial the proposals are taken as an integral package, rather than separate and free-standing components," he said.
The Minister for Education, Mr Martin McGuinness, described the report as "far-reaching".
"There is a clear need for change," he said. Problems with the present school structures included the distortion of the primary curriculum, "and the huge impact on the self-esteem of those who are perceived to have failed at the age of 11", said Mr McGuinness, who himself failed the 11 Plus.
The review body is to organise information seminars in each education and library board area during November and December to explain the proposals to teachers, principals, members of boards of governors, and other related organisations. The consultation is expected to last until next May. The Minister said he would consider all responses to the report. "We need a modern education system that enables all of our children to reach their full potential," he said.