Junior Cert 8-subject limit put off for 2 years

THE introduction of an eight-subject limit to the Junior Certificate is to be put back for two years following concerns by teachers and parents, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn told second-level principals yesterday.

In a reversal of his plans that the limit would take effect for students starting second level next September, the plan will now beintroduced along with wider reforms of the junior cycle planned for those entering first year in 2014.

However, Mr Quinn told the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) annual conference that he wants all schools that can do so to introduce the eight-subject limit next year or in 2013.