Teacher action could impact day and night courses

Hundreds of community and adult education students at second-level schools could lose out if industrial action by teachers over Junior Cycle reforms escalates.

While talks are scheduled for next week between Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan and the two second-level teacher unions, there is a possibility they could step up their action in opposition to changes that take effect from this week.

With most of the country’s 730 second-level schools reopening this week, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) will ballot its 17,000 members next month for the authority to move to strike action if the issue is not resolved. But the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) already has a strike mandate following a vote by its 10,000 second-level members last spring.

If that power is implemented, it could mean day and night courses run in vocational schools and community colleges staffed by TUI members being affected as well as impacting on second-level students. Adult education programmes run by almost 100 community and comprehensives schools, mostly staffed by a mix of ASTI and TUI members, might also be hit.

However, further education colleges staffed by TUI members and still funded and governed as second-level institutions, would not be subject to any action.

Since April, both unions have directed that members not take part in any training, school planning, meetings, or other activities connected to the Junior Cycle Student Award. Teachers of English will, however, deliver a new curriculum to first-year students this term, although new, in-school assessment methods will not be used until 2016. The final exams in English, Irish and maths will continue to be set and marked by the State Examinations Commission for the first few years.

While assessing their own pupils remains the most contentious issue, Ms O’Sullivan has said she remains committed to the reform framework of her predecessor Ruairi Quinn, but is willing to listen to the concerns of teachers and others.

The TUI said the union looked forward to meaningful engagement with the new minister on the issue, ahead of a meeting tomorrow week with it and the ASTI.