Quinn urged to resolve row on junior cycle reform

A parents’ leader has called on teacher unions and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to resolve the dispute over junior cycle reform.

The appeal was made by National Parents’ Council- Post Primary president Don Myers following Mr Quinn’s invitation to talks this week to two unions on industrial action over the Junior Cycle Student Award.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and Teachers’ Union of Ireland oppose Mr Quinn’s plan that members should mark their own students instead of exams being assessed externally by the State Examinations Commission, which currently happens for the Junior and Leaving Certificate.