Second-level teachers are warning that proposed changes to the Junior Cycle could undermine educational standards in schools. The Association of Secondary Students in Ireland (ASTI) says the plan to remove the Junior Certificate exam is a retrograde step.

The ASTI says its members are also raising concerns about the proposal to drop the current external assessments of students.

A new publication has presented the findings of an ASTI consultation with second-level teachers on Junior Cycle reform. Over 320 second-level schools representing an estimated 10,000 teachers participated in it. It follows the announcement last October of plans to reform the Junior Cycle and the Junior Certificate examination by the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn.

ASTI President Gerry Breslin said "What has most shocked teachers is not the content of the Minister’s Framework, nor the imminent implementation deadlines, but the fact that teachers’ views were not sought on key aspects of the Framework".

Reforms seen as "a retrograde step"

The ASTI President said the consultation exercise was the first opportunity that teachers had to give their views on the reform plans.

"The consultation found that teachers believe that the Minister’s Framework has the potential to improve learning outcomes for students" he said. "However, teachers are resoundingly stating that the Minister’s plan to remove the State exam and State qualification at Junior Cycle is a retrograde step that is fundamentally unfair to students and threatens to lower standards" he added.

Teachers are also concerned that the proposals are not accompanied by an implementation plan and resources for schools.

The Assistant General-Secretary of the union is Moira Leydon. She says says that while there are some good plans overall teachers are not convinced.

Speaking in October, Minister Quinn said the changes would space out the cycle.