Junior cycle reforms in doubt as no talks have taken place

The future of major reforms of the junior cycle looks uncertain as outgoing Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has failed to reach any compromise with teacher unions.

He had announced plans in late May to invite the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and Teachers’ Union of Ireland to direct talks on the key question of who should assess students for the Junior Cycle Student Award.

Despite hoping to chair such discussions after this year’s Junior and Leaving Certificate exams ended three weeks ago, they have not taken place.