The teacher unions – the ASTI and TUI – have called on the Minister for Education and Skills to intervene to resolve the impasse in the talks process on the Framework for Junior Cycle.
Following talks today, ASTI and TUI representatives have stated that the talks have not led to a resolution of the dispute between second-level teachers and the Department of Education and Skills. The ASTI and TUI now believe that only Ministerial intervention can ensure resumption of the talks and more meaningful discussions between the two sides.
The unions have reiterated their support for improvements to the Junior Cycle. However, they added that teachers have serious concerns about the Framework for Junior Cycle which must be addressed including the threat to national education standards represented by school based assessment, the capacity of schools to implement aspects of the proposals in the wake of six years of education cutbacks, and the potential for the proposals to exacerbate inequality between schools and between students. The ASTI and TUI are seeking to maintain State certification and external assessment in order to maintain national education standards.