Talks focus on marking Junior Cert replacement

The details of how standards can be maintained in the system proposed to replace the Junior Certificate are being examined in talks to try resolving a dispute with teachers, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn told the Dáil.

The question of who should mark students’ exam papers is the main concern of teacher unions, whose members began industrial action in second-level schools on Monday in protest at the minister’s proposed Junior Cycle Student Award (JCSA), for which students will be taught a new English curriculum from September.

But while teachers seek the maintenance of external assessment currently done by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), Mr Quinn said it is for him to decide and he did so on best evidence and the plan is going ahead: “How we do it and how it is implemented is, of course, open to consultation. I am open to discussion and we are still discussing it. However, the unions cannot hold a veto over the new destination for education in this country.”

Since Monday, 27,000 members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and Teachers’ Union of Ireland are directed not to take part in any training or planning for the JCSA, although, with most initial training already complete, this will have little impact.

Mr Quinn said a working group he set up in January, including teacher unions and other education partners, is looking closely at assessment. A submission on the issue from school management bodies is being actively considered and is understood to propose that some marked exam papers from each school would be examined externally to help schools and teachers follow the same standards as others nationally.

“A sub-group is considering in detail the issue of quality assurance and support for teacher assessment. As part of its remit, this subgroup is addressing external supports for moderation to support teacher assessment and help maintain standards,” Mr Quinn said.

Fianna Fáil education spokesperson Charlie McConalogue said it was the minister’s fault for not taking a hands-on approach to the matter which led to the industrial action.

“The new award will undoubtedly make a significant difference to second-level education and will benefit students a great deal. However, there are genuine concerns. We must continue to ensure that there is independent assessment,” he said.

The SEC would continue to mark students’ written exams in English, Irish and maths in the initial years of the JCSA under Mr Quinn’s plan.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on education Jonathan O’Brien said there must be independent verification of assessments and a lack of information for parents with children starting first year in September must also be rectified.

The National Parents’ Council-Post Primary has said teachers will be trusted to mark fairly and not be put under local pressure from parents.