Latest news with #SeniorCycleRedevelopmentProgramme
The Journal
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Threat of industrial action in secondary schools as ASTI rejects Leaving Cert reform package
THE ASSOCIATION OF Secondary Teachers in Ireland have rejected measures aimed at enabling Leaving Cert reforms, and voted in favour of industrial action. ASTI members voted to reject the Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures' by 68% to 32%. The turnout was 73%. The reforms, which are due to be implemented this September, propose allocating a minimum of 40% of Leaving Cert marks to project work or practicals across all subjects in an effort to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of student's skills. But teachers have voiced concerns about how the moves will affect the way students are assessed and marked, especially in the context of the risk of students using artificial intelligence to complete assignments. In a separate ballot, the union voted by 67% to 33% in favour of industrial action, 'up to and including strike action', in opposition to the accelerated implementation of the Leaving Cert reforms. The union said the outcome points to 'a lack of confidence in the accelerated Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme as it is currently constituted'. ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said the support measures 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'. Advertisement He said ASTI research published this year shows that a key concern 'is the lack of resources and capacity in schools to introduce such radical change in an effective manner', along with developments in AI and insufficient teacher training in some subject areas. 'The support package available from the Department fails to sufficiently address these concerns,' he added. The ASTI said it will continue to be available to engage with the Minister for Education and her Department 'in relation to how these and other significant concerns can be addressed'. In a statement, Education Minister Helen McEntee said the support measures on offer followed 'positive engagement' between the Department and the ASTI, as well as the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI). Last week, TUI members voted by 73% to 27% to accept the supports package. The Department said that it will seek to engage with the TUI leadership in the coming days as it proceeds to implement the support measures. McEntee said ASTI members have committed to cooperating with Senior Cycle Redevelopment and had confirmed to Department officials that their members will teach the new and revised specifications from the next school year. She also said that the vote 'will not affect the implementation of targeted supports for students contained in the package'. '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. 'The package of additional supports contains a number of significant measures aimed at supporting students directly. I am absolutely committed to delivering on those measures as we proceed with implementation of this programme.' 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
Irish Independent
a day 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."
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
ASTI members reject Leaving Cert reforms
ASTI members have voted to reject proposals aimed at enabling Leaving Cert reforms, and have also endorsed industrial action. They voted by more than two thirds to reject the document, Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures. With a turnout of 73%, 68% voted against the proposals and 32% voted in favour. In a separate ballot, ASTI members voted by 67% to 33% in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, if necessary, in opposition to the accelerated implementation of the reforms. Turnout in that vote was slightly lower at 70%. The ASTI said that the results point to "a lack of confidence in the accelerated Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme as it is currently constituted". Members had, the ASTI said in a statement, delivered "a resounding rejection of the package of implementation support measures on offer from the Department of Education". General Secretary Kieran Christie said that "second-level teachers have real and significant concerns" about the implementation of the proposals. Research the union conducted "shows that a key concern is the lack of resources and capacity in schools", he added. "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. "The ASTI research also finds that the majority of second-level teachers are concerned about developments in AI, authentication of Additional Assessment Components, and insufficient teacher training in some subject areas. The support package available from the Department fails to sufficiently address these concerns." The ASTI said that it "will continue to be available to engage with the Minister for Education and Youth and her Department in relation to how these and other significant concerns can be addressed".
