The Ulster Unionist Party has expressed its determination to "oppose vigorously" any attempts to dismantle the North's grammar school sector.
In its formal response to the Burns report, which recommends the abolition of the controversial 11-plus transfer tests, the UUP said the proposals were likely to undermine educational standards.
The party's education spokesman, Mr Danny Kennedy, said the ethos of existing schools should not be damaged by any necessary changes.
"Our view is that types of schools which are persistently oversubscribed should be quickly expanded to allow disappointed families to take up places in their preferred type of school.
"Our goal is that all schools should come to be viewed as equivalent in the value of education they provide."
Mr Kennedy also expressed concern that a number of areas had not received response forms on the Burns proposals and called for an extension of the public consultation period, which is due to end next week.
His call was echoed by an SDLP MLA, Mr P.J. Bradley, and the DUP MP for Strangford, Ms Iris Robinson, who said many households in South Down and Strangford had not received the questionnaires.
The UUP proposals include a standardised test to enable parents to ascertain their children's ability and a greater emphasis on technological and vocational education.
While the party approves of the pupil profiles proposed by Burns it feels that schools should have the final decision on which pupils they accept.
The Confederation of British Industry, meanwhile, yesterday expressed a number of reservations about the Burns proposals, saying educational outcomes were not clearly defined in the report nor did it provide the best quality options for all pupils.
During Ministers' Question Time in the Assembly, the First Minister, Mr David Trimble, claimed the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, bore a moral responsibility for the attempted killing of a Catholic police recruit in Ballymena, Co Antrim, a number of weeks ago.
Mr Trimble said comments by Mr Adams that his party would treat Catholic recruits to the PSNI in the same way it had treated the RUC could be seen as an "incitement to attack".
The First Minister also announced that he was considering plans to fund a £200,000 interface scheme in north Belfast during the summer holidays which would provide "diversional activities" for young people.
The Executive has appointed a six-strong panel of experts to head the review of public administration.
It will be chaired by the Ombudsman, Mr Tom Frawley.
The other members are: Ms Lucy Woods, a former member of the Patten Commission and chief executive of British Telecom Northern Ireland; Sir Neil McIntosh, a member of the UK Electoral Commission;
Mr James B. King, a former director of the United States Office of Personnel Management; Ms Anne O'Keeffe, the executive director of the Institute of Public Administration in Dublin; and Mr Desmond Mitchell, a part-time consultant on public sector policy.