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RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
ASTI to instigate dispute process mechanisms over senior cycle reforms
Second level teachers' union the ASTI has said it will instigate dispute process mechanisms to seek to advance the "significant" concerns of teachers regarding senior cycle redevelopment. Meeting in Killarney the union's executive agreed to, "in the first instance", seek resolution of the issues of concern to teachers by invoking dispute resolution mechanisms available to them under the current Public Service Agreement. "The pressing concerns of teachers include the exacerbation of inequalities for students, the lack of adequate infrastructural supports and human resources in many schools, and developments in AI which create substantial authentication issues for new Leaving Cert Additional Assessment Components, among others," ASTI president Donal Cremin said. Under changes due to be introduced from this coming September, at least 40% of Leaving Certificate students final marks will be awarded for projects carried out during the school year, called Additional Assessment Components. The terminal June exams will be worth just 60% of marks or less in the case of some subjects. The first subjects to experience the shift include the three main science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. They are among 7 subjects for which the change will be introduced this September for incoming 5th year students. Earlier this month, ASTI members voted to reject the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures by 68% to 32%. The results came in a ballot with a particularly high turnout of 73%. The document contained measures designed to assuage teachers. Just over two-thirds of ASTI members also voted in favour of industrial action, if necessary, up to and including strike action, in the event of rejection of the support measures. The union has not ruled out industrial action.
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
ASTI to ballot members on Leaving Cert reforms and possible industrial action
Teaching union the ASTI is to ballot its membership in the coming weeks on whether or not to accept controversial proposals to change the Leaving Cert curriculum from September this year. A separate ballot to be voted upon at the same time will seek the vote of the secondary school union's 20,000-strong membership on whether or not to proceed with industrial action should the proposals be rejected. A final document was published last Thursday following the conclusion of 'intensive' talks between the teaching unions and the Department of Education. That document, titled Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures, includes proposals regarding the establishment of various working groups to support the implementation of the senior cycle reform programme, including in areas related to AI, and the adaptation of this agreement to workload in schools. It also includes a 'commitment' to early, rapid reviews of revised subjects, including their assessment arrangements and emerging trends in student uptake levels, as well as the development of a right-to-disconnect policy applicable to schools. The actual changes to the curriculum set to be introduced at the start of the next academic year are the most fundamental made to the Leaving Cert in more than a century, with teachers raising concerns around the readiness of schools to roll out the changes, along with the introduction of new project work components. This project work, called Additional Assessment Components (AACs), is to be worth at least 40% of a student's overall grade in a subject. Many teachers have also raised concerns around the authentication of work completed as part of these components, given the rapid advancements in AI technology. Both of the larger secondary unions had vehemently opposed the new changes, in particular the perceived accelerated adoption of same. However, the TUI has advised its members to accept the new proposals. The ASTI has not made the same recommendation at this time. Both unions had approved emergency motions calling for potential industrial action regarding the changes at their respective annual conferences last month. ASTI president Donal Cremin said that the coming ballots will ensure 'that classroom teachers will have the final say on the proposals'. 'Members will also decide on how the ASTI will proceed in the event that the proposals are rejected by the ASTI membership,' he said. Read More Computer game to spot the signs of online grooming to be rolled out in schools next term
The Journal
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Teachers protest at Dublin's Synge Street school over plans to switch to Gaelcholáiste
TEACHERS IN DUBLIN who were unexpectedly told that their secondary school would be transitioned into a Gaelcholáiste have expressed anger over the lack of consultation over the decision. Proposals to turn Synge Street CBS in Dublin 8 into a gaelscoil were first announced in September last year . The plan was later overturned in February but greenlit again in March . Today, President of the teaching union ASTI Donal Cremin and General Secretary Kieran Christie and members of the association staged a lunch-time protest outside the building over the lack of communication with staff over the proposal. Staff and members of the ASTI outside the school in Dublin 8 during the protest today. The Journal The Journal The ASTI said the decision will affect the staff's working lives 'in a fundamental way' and that there is an urgent need to discuss upskilling, transition and timeline plans with the teachers. Many teachers spoke of feeling caught off guard by the announcement. The Journal previously reported that the school was only told of the plan the day before then-education minister Norma Foley publicly announced it. Speaking at the event, Cremin told The Journal that staff, the department, the union and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust – which oversees the school and owns the property – need to 'get around the table to discuss' the plan. Communication between the union and the department has continued, Cremin said, but he claimed that there is a split between the school's management over the decision. He said that the issue needs to be addressed to staff properly for the transition to be a success. The ASTI believes the issue needs to be discussed with staff properly for the transition to be a success. The Journal The Journal First-year students entering Synge Street C.B.S. in September 2026 will be the only class that is taught completely as Gaeilge. All other students who enrolled before will continue their education through English. By September 2032 the school will be lán-Gaeilge. It follows a long-running campaign from residents and parents in the Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 areas who want a dedicated Gaelcholáiste option for when their children leave local Irish-speaking primary schools. Advertisement Students from Bunscoil Synge, Gaelscoil Eoin, Gaelscoil Inse Chór, Gaelscoil Lios na nÓg and Scoil Bhríde located in the Dublin 2, 4, 6, and 8 have frequently taken part in the protest to demand that a Irish-speaking secondary school be created locally. The Department of Education has previously said that it remains committed to the establishment of a Gaelcholáiste in the Dublin South City area. ASTI, however, has said that 91% of staff at Synge Street CBS are not in favour of the transition to a Gaelcholáiste. Despite the school's concerns, the Edmund Rice Schools Trust – which oversees the school and owns the property – told staff in March that the plans to enroll and teach students through Irish in September 2026 will proceed. Labour councillor Fiona Connelly, Labour party leader and local TD Ivana Bacik and Fine Gael councillor Danny Byrne attended the protest alongside the teachers and the ASTI leadership this afternoon. Bacik told The Journal that she has long-supported plans to introduce a gaelscoil in the area but urged that there needed to be better communication, cooperation and consultation with the staff at the school for it to be done properly. Signs made by school staff read: 'RTÉ knew before we knew', 'No Consent, No Consultation' and 'Respect our Community'. Signs made by school staff read: "RTÉ knew before we knew". The Journal The Journal An assistant principal, who speaks Irish, will be appointed at the school and the Department and the Trust will provide upskilling resources to the staff. Teachers today said they are concerned over the efficiency of the upskilling programmes. One teacher said he would not have the level of proficiency required to teach through Irish within two years' time. The ASTI standing committee has highlighted how a number of gaelscoileanna around Dublin have constant staff shortages and are sometimes required to temporarily hire English-speaking teachers to teach Irish-speaking classes. Other teachers have recognised the need for a Gaelcholáiste in the Dublin 8 area, but that the speed of change is too fast, the lack of communication has increased concern for the future of their employment and the risk it poses to the school's community and diversity seen in its population. While most staff have recognised the need for a Gaelcholáiste in the Dublin 8 area, the speed of change and the lack of communication, they say, puts the future of their school and employment there at risk. 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
