Minister invites ASTI to discuss withdrawal from Leaving Cert talks
Education Minister Norma Foley has invited both the TUI and the ASTI to attend separate meetings in the Department of Education on Friday. File Picture: Julien Behal
The Minister for Education has invited the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland to meet tomorrow to discuss the union's withdrawal from talks on this year's Leaving Certificate students.
The ASTI said they were withdrawing from discussions on the Leaving Cert 2021, pending a guarantee that talks will focus on planning for examinations.
In a statement issued this evening, the union said it is "unacceptable" that a plan is being developed that will see students "preparing for two versions of a Leaving Cert, with Calculated Grades being the dominant option, and the Leaving Cert exams filling in assessment gaps."
ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said: "We entered a process in good faith to explore the position whereby if the Leaving Certificate or elements of it do not go ahead, a fair and credible choice or option would be available to students."
“It is clear to us that the approach being developed would not provide the meaningful Leaving Certificate experience this cohort of students deserves."
“The process is being developed in a manner that would see the Leaving Certificate relegated to a secondary position with Calculated Grades the premier option."
"The lack of data this year would make the delivery of a credible Calculated Grades process extremely challenging," he added.
“Given the widely accepted additional stress that students are currently experiencing, it is extraordinary that the only option being explored is that they would effectively prepare for two versions of a Leaving Certificate rather than one."
“We are calling for the Minister to re-establish the focus of the talks so that a meaningful Leaving Certificate experience is provided to this cohort of students, which they rightly deserve.”
The union said it will continue to engage constructively with the re-opening of schools process.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said it will continue to engage with the Department of Education "to achieve workable arrangements" for this year's exams.
In a statement, the TUI said they are "keenly aware of the need for clarity" with regards to the Leaving Cert.
"We are committed to allaying the anxiety currently being felt by students, their families and teachers.
"Resolution of key issues is critical for students, teachers and the integrity of the process."
Reacting to the ASTI's withdrawl, the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) said that it was "shocked and disappointed."
In a statement, the ISSU said: "This is a time when students need cooperation between all stakeholders.
"Students have been through a horrendous year and now may face an uphill battle in the months ahead - we need to show them compassion, we need to provide clarity, and the ISSU position remains that students deserve a choice."
The Department of Education meanwhile has said it was "both taken aback and disappointed" at the ASTI's decision.
"At no stage of discussions today did the ASTI indicate its intention to take this action.
"The Minister and her officials will continue to engage with all education representative bodies, including the teacher unions, to provide Leaving Certificate examinations and a corresponding measure for examination students," a Department spokesperson said.
"Fairness and certainty for the class of 2021 is at the centre of what we want to achieve in these engagements.
We are happy to engage with all concerned to achieve this objective."
Education Minister Norma Foley has invited both the TUI and the ASTI to attend separate meetings at the Department of Education on Friday.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
