Teachers to protest next week over 'rushed' changes planned for Leaving Cert

Teachers Amy Judge and Eileen O Brien protest outside the front of their school in Limerick in 2015. The post-primary teachers’ unions say members are 'gravely concerned' that aspects of the plans pose a threat to education standards, fairness and quality. File picture: Brian Arthur/ Press 22

Thousands of teachers at schools across the country are preparing to protest next week as they demand planned changes to the Leaving Cert be delayed.

More than 30,000 teachers will hold national lunchtime protests outside post primary schools following a decision to ‘accelerate’ Senior Cycle re-development plans, according to the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI).

The protest is not expected to interrupt the school day.

The post-primary teachers’ unions say members are “gravely concerned” that aspects of the plans pose a threat to education standards, fairness and quality.

ASTI members have been told by their union that re-development is "being rushed" and that new assessment components are being implemented inappropriately. 

"An insistence by the minister that additional assessment components cannot be allocated less than 40% of the overall marks for a subject is a substantial problem for some subjects, particularly science subjects," a memo to members said. 

"Subject specifications are being developed hastily, without sufficient involvement of teachers — the very experts who will be delivering this content. 

We have serious concerns regarding equality and equitable access to the facilities and resources needed in schools to deliver new subject specifications. 

There is concern about proposed additional assessment components, the memo notes, "as well as the need to address the implications of rapidly evolving AI technology on assessment integrity and fairness".

Senior Cycle reform has been underway for a number of years. Last year, Education Minister Norma Foley announced the latest reform plans which put an emphasis on project work and practicals, with written exams to make up 60% of overall marks. 

At times, plans to reform the Leaving Cert have been met with opposition from teachers. Plans to introduce teacher-based assessments were shelved in 2023, with the State Examinations Commission (SEC) now due to assess project work. 

The minister also previously rolled back on plans for students to sit Leaving Cert English paper 1 and Irish paper 1 at the end of fifth year. 

Both the TUI and ASTI are not calling for the postponement of the new pilot subjects Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development which they say "are being supported with additional resources and allocation for those schools involved."

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"This campaign is being driven by teachers in order to protect the standards and quality of the Irish education system. Our members will support change that is sufficiently resourced and is of educational benefit."

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said a phased approach is being taken to how the new and revised specifications will be introduced. "It will be done in annual tranches starting next year, running until 2029. 

"There is a need to get away from the high stakes exam on 'one day in June' which is why at least 40% of the marks will be for an additional assessed component such as a project or coursework which will provide students with opportunities to demonstrate real world skills."