The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland has sanctioned a ballot for industrial action if talks with the Government fail to reach an agreement on controversial senior cycle changes.
With teacher conferences set to take place across the country next week, issues such as Junior Cert reforms, a delay in reducing class sizes and more permanent contracts for teachers are just some of the issues expected to top agendas.
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee told The Pat Kenny Show that all representative groups she has met with support the proposed changes to the Leaving Cert.
“It’s served us well over the last number of years but has ultimately been somewhat the same for the last number of years,” she said.
“We need to make sure that we are testing children in different ways, that there’s additional assessment components for more of our exams and for more of our subjects and that we’re preparing young people for the world ahead.
“That’s the objective here; that’s why the Leaving Cert is changing, that’s the reforms that are taking place.”
Credit: AG News/Alamy Live NewsCurrently, most Leaving Cert subjects require students to sit multiple papers - which could be written, practical, oral or listening based.
Policy makers have suggested instead that students should be graded on their performance in one written exam and one project.
However, this has raised concerns about the use of AI.
“AI is already being used by students who already have additional assessments components in a huge amount of exams,” Minister McEntee said.
“I mean, you already have 29 subjects where there is project work, where there is additional assessment components as part of the Leaving Cert.
“So, the changes that we’re speaking about that will start this September and be introduced over the coming years, it’s about updating our curricula, which is really important.”
According to Minister McEntee, the threat of AI cannot be assuaged by holding all exams in monitored halls.
Main image: Irish exam hall. Credit: AG News/Alamy Live News
