The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has congratulated students receiving their Leaving Certificate results today, drawing attention to the wide range of options open to school-leavers.
The Union has said that teachers are in favour of positive Senior Cycle redevelopment that benefits the education system, but has highlighted recent survey findings that make clear the serious concerns of classroom teachers around grossly inadequate resourcing.
Congratulations!
‘Similar to other recent cohorts, the class of 2024 have progressed through an extremely challenging period in their lives due to the restrictions imposed because of COVID-19. In doing so they have displayed a resilience that will benefit them in every other part of their lives.’
‘Today, students should be commended for their hard work and commitment. We congratulate them and wish them the very best now and in the future.’
Vast range of options open to school-leavers
‘There has never been a more diverse range of choices available to school-leavers. Along with options in Technological Universities/Institutes of Technology and Universities, students should keep in mind the wide breadth of choices in Further Education/Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) colleges. These offer standalone qualifications with the option of subsequent progression to higher education and training.’
Senior Cycle redevelopment must be properly resourced
‘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 always been that this must be appropriately resourced.’
‘The most recent OECD statistics show that at second level, Ireland’s spend at second level as a percentage of GDP is just half of the OECD average. This must improve significantly and rapidly.’
‘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.’
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 (e.g. access to laboratories or virtual laboratory facilities for science subjects), 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.’
‘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)