“Such ambitious reform requires the wholehearted engagement of teachers – otherwise its chances of success are limited.” – Dr Pauric Travers, February 2015
This is stated in the introduction of the Dr Pauric Travers’ document Junior Cycle: A Way Forward. This document, which followed lengthy discussions between the Department and the teacher unions, states that there is an urgent need to address the alienation of our teachers.
In this context we believe that it is extraordinary and unacceptable that the Department and the Minister are proceeding with the further implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle without agreement from second-level teachers and their representative bodies.
It is also extraordinary in the context of an ongoing industrial relations dispute. Teachers are currently engaging in industrial action in relation to the Framework for Junior Cycle. This has included two days of strike action during which teachers reported overwhelming support from the public.
In the absence of further intensive discussions regarding resources, assessment and other identified issues, the Travers’ document will remain incomplete.
We have called for further engagement with the Department of Education and Skills in order to reach a resolution.
The ASTI and the TUI have identified the following as issues of key importance:
- Parity of treatment of subjects
- External assessment of oral tests, projects, practicals, etc.
- Confirmation of CSPE as a State certified exam
- Deferral of second-year English component
- Issues relating to capacity, including time, workload and other appropriate resources
We wish to reiterate that teachers want positive change to the Junior Cycle, but not change that is at the expense of a quality education.
We want an independent, objective, transparent and rigorous State exams model which maintains public trust. According to the OECD, Ireland has the highest level of public satisfaction in its education system and schools out of 34 countries.
We fully support a move away from reliance on final written exams. We have stated on many occasions that project work, portfolio work, practical work, and other methods of evaluating student learning are vital elements of a modern, forward looking exams system, but we believe they should be part of an externally assessed State certification process. Otherwise their value is significantly undermined.
After years of cutbacks – including cuts to teacher numbers, cuts to guidance counselling services, funding for schools, and much more – teachers have very serious concerns over capacity at system and school level to deal with these Junior Cycle proposals.
We want Ireland to have a first class education system. We want a resolution to this issue. As practitioners we believe we have a deep understanding of what are the realistic steps towards achieving ambitious educational goals for Ireland and for all of our young people.
Gerry Quinn, President, TUI
Philip Irwin, President, ASTI