"These fascinations likely stemmed from my interest in puzzles and paradoxes as an adolescent and continued through my curiosity in academic research, " he wrote in the statement submitted in early 2011.

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In a statement on the issue, the bishops said academic selection at age 11 had "outlived its usefulness".

BBC: Catholic bishops in call over academic selection

"It is disturbing that our current players must pay a penalty for the academic performance of students no longer enrolled, " University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst said in a statement.

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After forming groups and signing a statement of commitment, learners who have enrolled for basic primary education follow the course for one academic year.

UNESCO: Integral School Literacy Programme

However, The Edmund Rice Schools Trust said it welcomed the statement of the Northern Catholic Bishops "setting out clearly their collective stance in relation to the ending of academic selection at this early age".

BBC: Edmund Rice Schools Trust to phase out academic selection