The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has wished students the best of luck ahead of this year’s State examinations.
The union has said that teachers are in favour of positive Senior Cycle change that benefits the education system, but has highlighted survey findings that show the serious concerns of classroom teachers around grossly inadequate resourcing. (Survey findings at end of statement)
TUI, which represents 20,500 teachers and lecturers in second level, adult/further education and at third level, has warned that Senior Cycle redevelopment cannot be carried out ‘on a shoestring’.
Speaking today, TUI President David Waters said:
Best of luck!
‘We wish all students sitting the State examinations the very best of luck.’
‘Those sitting this year’s Leaving Certificate should take comfort in the fact that there has never been a wider range of alternative routes to pursue their career of choice.’
‘They will have worked hard and will inevitably find that they are better prepared than they might think. As much as possible, they should try to maintain a balanced lifestyle over the course of the exams, making sure to eat and sleep properly and take regular breaks.’
Class of 2024 has already demonstrated resilience
‘Similar to other recent cohorts, the class of 2024 will already have progressed through a challenging period 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.’
‘We pay particular tribute to those students sitting examinations who may have recently returned to education and also to those who may only have acquired English relatively recently.’
‘The support of parents and guardians should be remembered today, along with the dedication of teachers in supporting their students.’
Survey findings highlight grave concerns of teachers over resourcing of Senior Cycle redevelopment
‘Teachers are in favour of positive Senior Cycle reform that benefits the education system, but there are serious, ongoing concerns about the absence of appropriate resourcing.’
‘In a recent survey of TUI members, half of respondents did not believe that their school has the appropriate facilities to fully facilitate student work on additional assessment components as part of Leaving Certificate assessment within their subject area. Meanwhile, 66% of respondents did not believe that their school has the required resources to provide new subjects such as Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development which are due to be introduced from 2025/26.’
‘In international terms, our investment level is shamefully low, particularly at second level where our spend as a percentage of GDP is just half of the OECD average. This has clear and obvious negative implications, with a key finding from our survey showing that just half of respondents believe that their school has facilities suited to modern teaching and learning.’
‘Positive Senior Cycle redevelopment cannot be done ‘on a shoestring’. If we are serious about aspiring to having a world class education system, our policymakers must match the commitment of students and educators by appropriately funding the sector.’
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)