The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said that appropriate resourcing, meaningful consultation and proper planning must underpin the ongoing process of Senior Cycle reform if it is to be successful.
The Union has welcomed today’s launch of two new Senior Cycle subjects, Climate Action and Sustainable Development and Drama, Film and Theatre Studies by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD.
It has also called for the early publication of sample examination papers for the two new Senior Cycle subjects and the revised specifications in seven others (Physics; Biology; Chemistry; Business; Latin; Ancient Greek; Arabic) so that they are available during the continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers for the subjects.
Publication of the sample papers after training has taken place would make it extremely difficult for schools to effectively integrate the new subjects and the new specifications.
The union has also said that the requisite resources must be made available for appropriate subject-specific facilities across the breadth of subjects, irrespective of school postcode.
TUI made the call on the day that Minister for Education Norma Foley TD launched two new senior cycle subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
Speaking today, TUI President Michael Gillespie said:
‘The TUI believes in positive change that benefits the education system, but it must be properly planned and appropriately resourced. There must also be ongoing, meaningful consultation with key stakeholders.’
‘In terms of both new specifications for existing subjects and also for the two new subjects at Senior Cycle, sample papers and sample Additional Assessment Component (AACs) must be made available during the CPD training process for teachers to ensure that they are be fully prepared.’
‘Clearly, the development of Climate Action and Sustainable Development and Drama, Film and Theatre Studies is a positive development for students, but the requisite resources must be made available so that every student in every school has the same opportunity after the pilot phase.’
‘The findings of a survey of TUI members earlier this year identified serious concerns around resourcing in schools (SEE END OF STATEMENT), and this is hardly surprising given this week’s publication of the OECDs’ annual Education At A Glance, which shows that at second-level, Ireland spends the lowest proportion of national wealth of the 34 countries for which figures are provided.’
‘Appropriate and generous resourcing is essential for successful redevelopment at Senior Cycle, and it follows that adequate funding must be provided for all schools, big or small, rural or urban. Equality and equity must be paramount.’
‘The second level system must be properly resourced to ensure that AACs, which complement but are separate to the traditional written exam can successfully assess forms of learning, competencies and skills other than those addressed in the terminal examination.’
‘Teacher time is a key resource. 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.’
‘We continue to engage as a key stakeholder in the process of Senior Cycle redevelopment, but, as we have always made clear, this is contingent on the appropriate resourcing being made available.’
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 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)