Unions to vote on Leaving Cert reform proposals after talks end

Many teachers have also raised concerns around the authentication of work completed as part of these components given the rapid advancements in AI technology. File Picture: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

Talks aimed at easing teachers’ concerns about proposed incoming changes to the Leaving Cert between the post-primary teacher unions and the education minister have concluded.

Both the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) are to now put Helen McEntee’s latest proposals on senior cycle reform to a vote of their members.

Both unions had strongly opposed the Leaving Cert reforms, set to begin in September, with teachers raising concerns around the readiness of schools to roll out the changes, along with the introduction of new project work components.

This project work, called additional assessment components (AACs), is to be worth at least 40% of a student's overall grade in a subject.

Many teachers have also raised concerns around the authentication of work completed as part of these components given the rapid advancements in AI technology.

Last month, teaching delegates passed emergency motions at their annual congress calling for their unions to take industrial action if this round of talks failed to “deliver an acceptable outcome".

The TUI is recommending that its members accept the negotiated proposals published on Thursday night in an upcoming ballot.

The ASTI has yet to decide which way it will advise its members to vote. The union’s leadership and executive committees are due to meet in the coming days to consider the proposals.

On Thursday night, education minister Helen McEntee said: “It is now a matter for the ASTI and TUI to consider this package as part of their own processes.” 

Proceeding with the introduction of new and revised subjects under senior cycle redevelopment in September is in the best interest of students

“It will help to reduce the pressure faced by students, while recognising a broader range of skills and ensuring that students have the skills necessary to thrive and succeed in a rapidly changing world.”

Working groups

The proposals include the establishment of various working groups to support the implementation of the senior cycle reform programme, including in areas related to AI, and the implementation of this agreement and workload in schools.

It also includes a “commitment” to early rapid reviews of revised subjects, including their assessment arrangements and emerging trends in student uptake levels, as well as the development of a right to disconnect policy applicable to schools.

According to the TUI, the proposals also include the payment of the 3% pay increase due under the local bargaining provision of the current public service agreement for co-operation with senior cycle.

The proposals on the table also include a “rebalancing” of the "Croke Park hours" to allow for teacher-led activities related to senior xycle, as well as a shorter qualifying period of one year for teachers to attain permanency.

The accelerated pace of redevelopment has led to significant concerns from TUI members, TUI president David Waters said on Thursday.

The TUI executive committee has assessed the document and is recommending that members accept it, he added.

“The union believes that these proposals are the best that that could be achieved through negotiation, and that they have the potential to allay concerns expressed by teachers in terms of both workload and the resources required by schools and teachers to implement senior cycle redevelopment," he said.

“In a separate ballot, the union will seek that — in the event of the negotiated document not being accepted — members vote to engage in a campaign of industrial action, up to and including strike action.” 

Ballot material will be issued to TUI members next week.