Quinn invites unions to talks on junior cycle reform plans

Failure to address teachers’ concerns over his junior cycle reform plans has prompted Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to invite unions to talks aimed at breaking the deadlock.

He will chair discussions which he wants to begin next month after the end of the Junior and Leaving Certificate exams which begin next Wednesday.

The move follows the poor progress made on the key question of who should assess students for the Junior Cycle Student Award by a working group he set up in January.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has decided to ballot its 17,000 members in September on escalating industrial action to possible strike on the issue, which would give them the same mandate as the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.

Both firmly oppose elements of the JCSA, most significantly the plan that teachers assess their own students for all aspects of the replacement for the Junior Certificate.

Mr Quinn went beyond the advice of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment by insisting teachers mark final written exams worth 60% of marks in each subject, and not just the coursework element as recommended to him.

As the working group reported yesterday, Mr Quinn said he was disappointed greater progress was not made, despite constructive proposals from parents and school management bodies to support the revised programme being introduced in schools.

“Notwithstanding the fact that both unions have voted in favour of industrial action on the JCSA, they say they are not against educational or junior cycle reform. This is welcome,” said Mr Quinn.

While it is unclear if he is willing to reconsider the assessment question, his direct involvement in talks may be seen as an acceptance that he has reached an impasse with the unions.

ASTI general secretary Pat King welcomed the invitation, hours after the union presented a petition signed by 9,921 members opposing the junior cycle framework, and the acknowledgement that teachers want reform.

“However, it is vital that students are placed at the centre of junior cycle reform and that the assessment of junior cycle students is fair, impartial, transparent, and consistent,” he said.

TUI also welcomed the planned invitation to talks but said it is unacceptable that more questions remain answered on standards and equity despite participation in the working group and other meetings.

From September, teachers will deliver a new curriculum in English, the first subject to undergo changes. However, under industrial action that began last month, ASTI and TUI members will not take part in training, school meetings or other JCSA-related activity.