Latest news with #SeniorCycleRedevelopment
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
ASTI votes down Leaving Cert reform package
The package related to teachers and their conditions of employment and apply only to those teachers who become parties to the agreement. The ASTI, in a separate ballot, voted 67pc to 33pc in favour of industrial action 'if necessary, up to and including strike action, in opposition to the accelerated implementation of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme'. Education Minister Helen McEntee said: 'Despite the positive engagement between the ASTI, the TUI and my Department in the recent negotiations, the ASTI's membership have voted not to accept this strong package of supports for teachers, schools and students on offer.' Despite the ASTI voting against this package, changes to senior cycle are still set to go ahead. Under the terms of the Public Service Agreement, ASTI members have committed to cooperating with Senior Cycle Redevelopment. In addition, in engagements before the ballot process, the ASTI confirmed to Department officials that their members will teach the new and revised specifications from the next school year. Minister McEntee added: 'As I confirmed in April, the implementation of the programme will continue with the introduction of the first tranche of new and revised Leaving Certificate subjects in September 2025 as previously announced. 'From the very outset, the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme has been motivated by the needs of our students. "The world is rapidly changing and it is important that we equip students with the skills they will need to succeed and to thrive when they finish school.' In the coming days, the Department will seek to engage with the leadership of the Teachers' Union of Ireland as it proceeds to implement the support measures. ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said: 'ASTI research published in 2025 shows that a key concern is the lack of resources and capacity in schools to introduce such radical change in an effective manner. "Furthermore, the supports on offer do little to provide a Senior Cycle experience for all students that addresses the core inequalities that are in place in the second-level system."
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Teachers warned that pay hikes will be clawed back if Leaving Cert reform is blocked
A Department of Education letter to secondary teacher unions reminded them that payment of increases due under current and future wage deals depend on them backing reforms. It said it reserved the right to seek a pause or clawback of pay rises in the event of industrial action or 'non-compliance' with a Senior Cycle Redevelopment plan. The letter said payment of pay rises worth 1pc under this deal and 2pc under the next, under a special local bargaining clause, are subject to compliance with the deal. It also says 'outstanding payments' due under the pay deal, which are separate to the local bargaining pay rises, are subject to their compliance. These outstanding payments include three pay rises worth 3pc that are due to all 400,000 public servants under the deal. They include a 1pc pay rise on August 1, a 1pc pay rise on February 1 next year and another 1pc in June 2026. The TUI has recommended that its members accept the reform package but the ASTI is not issuing a recommendation to its members on how they should vote. Students will be awarded a minimum of 40pc of their marks for project or practical work under the reforms that are designed to ease exam pressure on students. 'It should be clearly understood that the benefits of this agreement are dependent on parties to it approving the agreement and complying with it,' said the letter sent on May 8. 'The payment of the 1pc and 2pc element of local bargaining are subject to this agreement being complied with for the duration of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme. 'The department reserves the right to seek a pause or clawback of these increases in the event of industrial action or other non-compliance in the future in respect of Senior Cycle Redevelopment, through the appropriate Public Service Agreement structures. 'The outstanding payments due under the Public Service Agreement 2024 to 2026 are subject to compliance with the PSA, including commitments relating to supporting, and co-operating with, Senior Cycle Redevelopment.' However, the department said if cooperation ceases at any stage, it t will refer the dispute to dispute resolution mechanisms that are part of the deal. The letter from Dalton Tatton, assistant secretary general, said the department considers a document it sent the ASTI and TUI as 'a full and final offer' in relation to support measures for this phase of Leaving Cert redevelopment. Among measures to support the rollout of the reforms, the letter referred to revised arrangements for teachers securing permanent contracts and a 'reconfiguration' of extra hours being worked. The development of a 'right to disconnect' policy is also mentioned, along with working groups to monitor a programme that relates to AI. Kieran Christie, general secretary of the ASTI, said the union's ballot will end in June. 'We're balloting our members and bringing the full facts to their attention without a recommendation,' he said. 'We are mindful and our members are mindful of their obligations under the agreement.' He said the union sees the letter in the 'context of normal engagement in bargaining and industrial relations'. He said the ASTI has been aware of the potential penalties since its members accepted the public sector pay deal and the letter is a 'further elaboration on that'. It is understood that there is a feeling among a portion of members of the unions that the reforms were rushed and will involve an excessive workload. Sources said there are also concerns around the use of AI and authenticating projects.
RTÉ News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
TUI urges members to support Leaving Certificate reform
Talks over Leaving Certificate subject reforms between the teacher unions and the Department of Education have concluded, with a package of supports offered for implementation of Senior Cycle Redevelopment from September. The Teachers Union of Ireland has said it will be recommending acceptance of the measures in a ballot of members. The ASTI trade union is also expected to ballot members. The measures include specific supports for the first tranche of subjects due to be introduced this September, including an increase in the amount of the current annual Physics and Chemistry grant and the extension of its scope to include Biology and Agricultural Science. Working groups will also be established to support the implementation and monitoring of the new programme including in areas related to AI. The Department says it has committed to "early rapid reviews" related to the implementation of revised subject specifications, including the operation of assessment arrangements. "Proceeding with the introduction of new and revised subjects under Senior Cycle Redevelopment in September, is in the best interest of students. It will help to reduce the pressure faced by students, while recognising a broader range of skills and ensuring that students have the skills necessary to thrive and succeed in a rapidly changing world", Minister for Education Helen McEntee said. TUI President David Watees said: "The Union believes that these proposals are the best that could be achieved through negotiation and that they have the potential to allay concerns expressed by teachers in terms of both workload and the resources required by schools and teachers to implement Senior Cycle redevelopment."
The Journal
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Teaching union urges members to back Leaving Cert reform amid potential industrial action
THE TEACHERS' UNION of Ireland (TUI) has advised its members to accept a newly proposed support package following discussions between unions and education minister Helen McEntee. Both the TUI and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) are to now put McEntee's latest proposals on senior cycle reform to a vote of their members. The proposed reforms aim to broaden assessment methods by allocating a minimum of 40% of marks to project work or practicals across all subjects. This shift is intended to ease pressure on students and provide a more comprehensive evaluation of their skills. Both unions had previously expressed concerns over the reforms, saying that the change risks undermining the 'entire assessment process' . The TUI's executive convened this evening to discuss the support package, while the ASTI is expected to deliberate on whether to recommend acceptance of the package on Friday or Saturday. Both unions are scheduled to conduct ballots on the reforms before the end of the current school year. Should the package not be accepted, union members are prepared to initiate a campaign of industrial action, which may include strike action, in the upcoming academic year. Advertisement The proposals include a reallocation of Croke Park hours, permitting teachers to dedicate 14 hours of their own time to support the new reforms. They would also include: A 3% local bargaining pay increase, as stipulated in the public sector pay agreement, contingent upon cooperation with the reforms Increased funding for school laboratories to assist project work in subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and agricultural science Creation of specific posts of responsibility to oversee the implementation of the new senior cycle changes Provision of clearer guidelines for teachers to address concerns regarding the authentication of students' project work, especially in light of the rapid development of new artificial intelligence tools Confirmation of a reduced qualifying period of one year for teachers to attain permanency through a contract of indefinite duration In a statement following the talks, Minister for Education Helen McEntee asserted that the reforms are 'in the best interest of students.' She said that the changes aim to reduce student pressure by recognising a broader range of skills and ensuring students possess the necessary competencies to succeed in a 'rapidly changing world'. 'Not only will these supports help teachers and schools to implement Senior Cycle Redevelopment, they will ultimately ensure that students across the country reap the benefits of a revised Senior Cycle,' McEntee said. 'This agreement provides a number of important supports to teachers, students and schools to ensure the successful implementation of Senior Cycle Redevelopment. 'I look forward to continuing close collaboration with the ASTI and TUI, indeed with all representative bodies, as we work together to strengthen and support Senior Cycle Redevelopment.' The unions' recommendation to accept the support package marks a significant development in the ongoing discussions surrounding the Leaving Cert reforms. In a separate ballot, the TUI will seek that in the event of the negotiated document not being accepted, members vote to engage in a campaign of industrial action, up to and including strike action. In a statement this evening, the Irish Secondary Students Union (ISSU) also backed McEntee's decision to continue with the introduction of Senior Cycle Redevelopment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
