The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has warned that Senior Cycle redevelopment cannot be done ‘on the cheap’ and that any effort to do so would be doomed to failure.
The Union continues to engage as a key stakeholder in the redevelopment process but has consistently said that its acceptance and implementation of Senior Cycle redevelopment is contingent on the appropriate resourcing being provided.
Specifically, the Union is calling for:
- the appropriate subject-specific facilities/equipment across the breadth of subjects, for all schools and students, irrespective of school postcode
- the provision of significantly enhanced professional time for teachers
- smaller class sizes to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential in an inclusive environment and
- relevant, high-quality, context-sensitive and timely professional development.
The second level system must be properly resourced to ensure that Additional Assessment Components (AACs), which complement but are separate to the traditional written exam, can successfully assess forms of learning, competences and skills other than those addressed in the terminal examination.
The most recent OECD figures show that we invest just half of the international average at second level.
Speaking today, TUI President David Waters said:
‘The TUI believes in positive change that enhances the education system, but in relation to the current Senior Cycle redevelopment process, our clear and consistent position has been that this must be appropriately resourced.
We have always stated that positive educational reform cannot be achieved on the cheap, and recent survey findings from our members in relation to the facilities available in their schools for upcoming developments at Senior Cycle (see end of statement) should be a wake-up call to the Department in this regard.
Ireland’s shameful funding record
To set the overall resourcing context, the most recent OECD figures show that of the countries for which figures are provided, none spend a lower proportion of national wealth (GDP) on education than Ireland (3%). This is even more pronounced at second level, where, at 1%, the spend for second level is just half of the OECD average. This must improve significantly and rapidly.
Additional assessment components cannot be ‘more of the same’
Key to the current redevelopment across the breadth of the subjects is the further integration of assessment components outside of the traditional written examination. We have always been in favour of these as a way of assessing other forms of learning and also of alleviating pressure on students. However, in the absence of additional resourcing, there is a real risk that in some subjects the new components may not differ sufficiently from and may merely replicate what is assessed in the terminal examination, which would utterly defeat their educational purpose.
If these components are truly to go beyond what is already examined and embrace the full range of knowledge and skills that students have developed, significant additional resourcing will be required. For example, in the science subjects, it is critical that students would have access to laboratory or virtual laboratory facilities to demonstrate their applied knowledge rather than merely writing a report or completing a written project.
The most critical resource – teacher time
Perhaps the most critical resource is teacher time. Professional time of 40 minutes per week was provided to teachers to resource the reform of the Junior Cycle programme. It is entirely logical and unavoidable that the extensive change proposed at Senior Cycle will need significantly more to have any chance of success.
Smaller class sizes
Similarly, smaller class sizes are required to ensure that the type of modern, experiential learning envisaged by the redevelopment can take place and to ensure that student work on additional assessment components can be fully supported by teachers.
Redevelopment cannot be achieved with the current numbers in our classes and all the additional bureaucratic load that has been forced on teachers over the last 10 years.
Equality and equity are paramount
Despite our chronic underfunding in international terms, Ireland continually excels in all international metrics because of the quality of our teachers and the commitment of our students. The recent PISA scores confirm that the Department is getting exceptionally good bang for its buck.
Appropriate and generous resourcing is essential for successful redevelopment at Senior Cycle. Adequate funding must be provided for all schools, big or small, urban or rural. Equality and equity are paramount.
There is too much at stake for this not to be done properly.’ ENDS
Notes to editor:
Findings from an online TUI survey of 736 members carried out in March 2024
Indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statement: ‘My school/centre has facilities that are suited to modern teaching and learning methodologies.’
50% agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. 38% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
(35% agreed; 15% strongly agreed; 22% disagreed; 16% strongly disagreed)
Indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statement: ‘My school/centre has modern facilities that fully facilitate student work on additional assessment components (AACs) as part of Senior Cycle Assessment within my subject area(s).’
50% disagreed or strongly disagreed with this statement. 23% agreed or strongly agreed.
(26% disagreed; 24% strongly disagreed; 18% agreed; 5% strongly agreed).
Indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statement: ‘My school has the required facilities and resources suitable for providing new subjects (Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development) from 2025/26.’
66% disagreed or strongly disagreed with this statement. 10% agreed or strongly agreed.
(31% disagreed; 35% strongly disagreed; 7% agreed; 3% strongly agreed)
Indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statement: ‘My school has the required facilities and resources suitable for providing revised specifications for subjects (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Arabic, Latin, Ancient Greek, and Business) from 2025/26.’
48% disagreed or strongly disagreed with this statement. 16% agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. (24% disagreed; 24% strongly disagreed; 11% agreed; 5% strongly agreed)