Junior cycle reforms ‘will widen gap’ for students

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has been urged to scrap his controversial junior cycle reforms over concerns they risk further widening the gap between schools in affluent and deprived areas.

Union delegates insisted the proposed changes to the exam system are a disaster waiting to happen.

Under previously announced planned changes to the Junior Certificate, from next year three core subjects — English, Irish and Maths — will form the basis of the exam, with other classes taught on a short-course level, giving schools a choice on what subjects receive the most priority.