What are Leaving Cert reforms and why are teachers considering strike? – Everything you need to know amid union concerns

The Irish Sun

24-04-2025

TEACHERS are considering industrial action in a bid to push the government to act on concerns about proposed reforms to the Leaving Certificate.
The final set of exams in secondary
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Helen McEntee has insisted 'we all want these changes'
Credit: Tommy Clancy
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TUI President David Waters addressed the TUI conference
Credit: Tommy Clancy
Critics have argued that sitting one final exam for a given subject is too much pressure for
This year, talks began between the Teacher's Union of Ireland and the
But
And the talks, which began just last week, are already proving controversial for some.
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Here, we have outlined everything you need to know about the proposed changes, when they are due to come into effect and why teachers are prepared to strike over their concerns.
WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED REFORMS?
The changes that have been put forward would see a move away from the one final exam system that's currently in place.
Instead, students would be graded on continuous assessment across a period of time.
It means that they would complete a number of tests, oral exams, and projects throughout the school year to be judged on.
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The completed portfolio would then count for 40 per cent of the final grade.
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And it would be graded, not by teachers, but by the State Examinations Commission.
A similar move was made in the junior cert cycle in 2022, in the hopes that students would be under less pressure in schools.
WHEN WILL LEAVING CERT CHANGES START?
The proposed reforms are set to come in stages, with students going into fifth year in 2025 being the first to experience the new system.
The first subjects to see the changes will be the
Not all subjects will immediately see the continuous assessment model.
In the years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, four more subject groups will see the change until the model for every subject is continuous assessment.
WHY ARE TEACHERS CONSIDERING STRIKE?
Two separate teacher's groups have voted in favour of a motion to take industrial action if the outcome of ongoing talks are not deemed acceptable.
Both TUI and The Association of Secondary ­Teachers of Ireland have argued that the changes are being introduced too quickly.
They are concerned that there won't be proper resources or staff training in place by the time the changes come into effect.
Unions are also worried about
ASTI voted in favour of the emergency motion at their annual conference in Co
They had previously pleaded with Minister for Education Helen McEntee to postpone the changes for a year.
ASTI general secretary Kieran Christie said the minister's refusal to delay the move brought "dismay and disappointment".
And TUI President David Waters said the decision not to delay was "disappointing" and "a serious mistake".
WHAT HAS THE MINISTER SAID?
Minister for Education
She said that she plans to engage with unions to see what can be done to support teachers.
And she claimed that "we all want these changes".
McEntee said: "We all know that they're coming in for the reasons that I've outlined to benefit young people and my focus now, in the next few weeks, is to make sure that whatever further support I can provide, I'll do that."
WHEN WILL A DECISION BE MADE?
Talks are set to resume after school restarts following the two week long Easter holiday.
McEntee said she hopes the talks will be wrapped up "by early May".
She said: "So really, in a matter of weeks."
Although the focus for now is on the conferences, the threat of a strike could mean that the outcome gets delayed.
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Teachers Unions have voted in favour of a motion to strike
Credit: Tommy Clancy