Internal assessment cannot be trusted

I have to take issue with your editorial (Irish Examiner December 3) with regard to the industrial action taken by the two post-primary teacher unions, the ASTI and the TUI.

Taking industrial action is a democratic action, not undemocratic as your editorial states.

The ASTI and TUI did engage in the policymaking process which concluded in 2012 with agreement from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and Department of Education and Skills (DES) that the new Junior Cycle would be externally assessed.

The then Minister Ruairí Quinn went on a solo run in October of that year by announcing the new Junior Cycle would be internally assessed.

Over the two years since there has been engagement from the ASTI and TUI with the DES, but to no avail.

Minister Jan O’Sullivan has been handed the brief and has continued to push for internal assessment.

Her proposal of 40% internal assessment is the classic thin edge of the wedge, as within a few years teachers will be assessing 100%.

No doubt the Leaving Certificate will follow.

I trust external assessment. I will not trust internal assessment.

Which parent is not going to consider the school that has better results, as opposed to the school with better assessment?

Patrick O’Driscoll

Ashfield Place

Rathcormac,

Co. Cork