Latest news with #SeniorCycleRedevelopment–ImplementationSupportMeasures
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.
RTÉ News
06-06-2025
- 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".
