In September 2015, TUI members voted by a margin of 69% to 31% to accept negotiated Junior Cycle proposals.
The negotiated document which members were balloted on provides for reinstatement of a fully externally assessed, state certified Junior Certficate examination.
In addition, 'professional time' is provided - within timetable - for Junior Cycle teachers (From 2017/18, each full-time teacher will have a class-contact time reduction of 40 minutes per week).
Therefore, TUI's key objectives were attained.
Important documentation:
Newest item: Click here to view Circular Letter 15/2017, Arrangements for implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to school years 2017/18 and 2018/19. (Please note: This supersedes Circular Letter 24/2016, entitled 'Arrangements for implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to school years 2015/16 and 2016/17.')
Newest item: Download a letter from TUI Head Office that clarifies some common misconceptions about Junior Cycle reform (November 2016)
Click here to download a poster outlining, in brief, the key achievements of the union's successful Junior Cycle campaign.
Click here to view a letter from TUI Head Office to Branch Officers and Workplace Representatives on Junior Cycle Implementation (September 2016)
Documents on which TUI members were balloted:
Click here to view Appendix to Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation: Professional Time to Support Implementation.
Click here to view Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation.
Earlier uploads:
Watch a series of short, informative videos on the Junior Cycle proposals ballot from TUI President Gerry Quinn.
TUI members are being balloted on the acceptablity of the negotiated document Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation (click here to download) and an appendix to this document on Professional Time to Support Implemenation (click here to download). Both documents have issued to members in hard copy.
The Executive Committee is recommending that members vote YES to accept the proposals.
Ballot papers will be posted to members from TUI Head Office on Wednesday, September 9th. Close of ballot is Wednesday, September 23rd.
Regional information meetings on the proposals will take place in Dublin (Sept 3rd and Sept 15th), Cork (Sept 8th), Monaghan (Sept 8th), Kilkenny (Sept 9th), Galway (Sept 9th), Killarney (Sept 10th), Portlaoise (Sept 10th) and Sligo (Sept 15th). Click here for details of full schedule
A TUI News with a strong focus on the ballot will issue to members before ballot papers. Click here to download.
Click here to download an initial FAQ document which will be updated periodically to address further arising questions.
Further updates will also be uploaded on this page..
The revised Framework for Junior Cycle has also issued. Click here to download.
Earlier Updates on campaign
Union recommends acceptance of Junior Cycle proposals - August 28th 2015
The TUI Executive Committee today decided to recommend acceptance of the Junior Cycle proposals. Click here for full statement.
Ballot papers will be posted from TUI head office on September 9th and the ballot will close on September 23rd. The full text of the document will issue to each member in hard copy and a TUI News with a strong focus on the ballot will be issued before ballot papers.
Further updates will be posted on this page in the coming days.
Joint TUI/ASTI press statement, July 14th 2015
Following intensive discussions between union representatives and the Department of Education and Skills, an agreement on time and resources for the implementation of the new Junior Cycle was reached last week.
This agreement, together with the Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation which was agreed last May, will be balloted on by teachers in September.
The executive bodies of both unions will meet in late August to further discuss the respective ballots.’
Additional information
Full background information, including new appendix document on teachers' time and workload
On May 22nd the TUI Executive Committee and ASTI Central Executive Council (CEC) decided (at separate meetings) that the latest Junior Cycle proposals form the basis for a ballot of members. These proposals are contained in the document Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation. Click here to download
Included in this Joint Statement were commitments to:
- Publish a revised edition of the Framework for Junior Cycle.
- Hold discussions on how the various time/workload implications of the Framework for Junior Cycle and the Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation will be addressed.
The Department has advised that it will shortly provide a revised edition of the Framework for Junior Cycle.
Time /Workload implications
On Wednesday, July 8th the Department of Education and Skills, the TUI and ASTI signed off an Appendix to Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation. This Appendix (click here to download) sets out the time and workload implications for teachers and how they will be addressed.
Teachers’ workload
The Appendix:
- identifies the categories of additional professional time that will be required from implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle.
- proposes 40-minute class periods for all schools.
- identifies the time required for Subject Learning and Assessment Review meetings of subject teachers.
- states that, with effect from September 2017, the class contact time for all full-time teachers with Junior Cycle classes will be reduced from 33 (40 minute) periods to 32 (40 minute) periods – i.e. a maximum class contact time each week of 21 hours and 20 minutes rather than 22 hours.
- provides for a pro-rata reduction in class contact time for part-time teachers.
- provides for the allocation of additional paid substitution hours to schools in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 school years in order to phase in the timetable changes for English, Science and Business teachers.
Ballot on new Junior Cycle reform proposals
TUI’s Executive Committee will meet in late August to discuss the ballot of TUI members on the revised Junior Cycle proposals.
Click here to view Appendix to Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation: Professional Time to Support Implementation.
Click here to view Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation.
Click here to read Junior Cycle – Significant Achievements by TUI/ASTI.