Teachers’ unions say that a third day of strike over Junior Cycle reform is still on the cards.
The unions want substantial changes to a document drawn up for their consideration – and say they will not mark their own students’ exams for state certification purposes.
Gerry Quinn of the ASTI and Philip Irwin of the TUI there – firmly putting their cards on the table saying “The industrial action remains in place”.
The Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, this evening said she is “disappointed at the reaction of both teaching unions to the Travers document” and the unions’ “decision to reject any fair compromise cannot be allowed to dictate reform.”
Ms O’Sullivan said she believes the proposals represent “a fair and equitable solution to the issues” and Dr Travers' document "goes a long way to framing a fair and equitable solution to the issues regarding the implementation of Junior Cycle reform."
Ms O’Sullvian said her staff had met with “a number of education partners including students’ representatives, the national parents Council and management bodies” and that, despite reservations on the part of the unions, “the general view was very positive towards the report.”
“Today my officials met a number of education partners including students’ representatives, the National Parents Council and management bodies. While they have yet to give full consideration to the report by Dr. Travers the general view was very positive toward the report.”
Union bosses held talks today to consider proposals in a draft document by Dr Pauric Travers on reforming the Junior Cycle.
The unions are not happy that the document was leaked to the press, and they’re even less happy at the contents of the paper – which included a split between in-school assessment, and the traditional State exam.
Like the Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan, Dr Travers is in favour of teachers marking their own pupils for 40 per cent of the overall grade.
Philip Irwin, President of the ASTI, says teachers will not grade their students for the purposes of state certification;
“We want them independently marked. We want the objectivity of the state certification and the external marking.”
Gerry Quinn, TUI President, says they’ll continue talking, but changes are needed to the document;
“It doesn’t form the basis for an agreement, we are however prepared to continue to discuss with Dr. Travers and with the department how we see this situation being ultimately resolved.”
