Quinn and union willing to discuss Junior Cert plans

Simmering tensions between Education Minister Ruairi Quinn and a leading teachers’ union over plans to radically reform the junior cycle appear to have cooled after both parties indicated a willingness to “sit down and make this work”.

The development came last night after a week dominated by teacher outrage over what they claim is a reform policy which poses significant hurdles for the education system, children dependent on it, and teachers themselves, who could find themselves “pressured, blackmailed, and bribed” by parents due to the changes.

Under the move, teachers will be expected to grade and assess their own students as part of a policy designed to replace the Junior Certificate exams at the end of third year with continuous assessment and course work projects.