Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue has said abolishing independent Junior Cert assessment is not the answer.
Deputy Charlie McConalogue
The Fianna Fáil Education Spokesperson has called on the Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to engage meaningfully with secondary school teachers who have begun industrial action today in a row over Junior Cert reform.
Deputy McConalogue commented, “Minister Quinn has allowed this row to rumble on for far too long. We cannot allow a situation where teachers still feel they can’t implement reforms that are due to be introduced from September. Minister Quinn needs to start taking the concerns of teachers seriously and agree to enter discussions on a compromise.
“The dispute has escalated because of the Minister’s mishandling of the reform process since he entered office. He failed to engage teachers in process from the beginning, despite the fact that he is expecting those teachers to implement his reforms.
“He has ignored their concerns about the outright removal of all independent assessment at Junior Cert level. He has failed to provide adequate time for proper teacher training on the changes that he is expecting them to introduce in a matter of months.
“In addition to this, the Minister has also ignored the independent advice of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, which sought a mix of school-based and State-based assessment.
“The Minister needs to change his approach immediately. He cannot continue to try to implement these reforms unilaterally. He needs to engage with teachers, back away from abolishing all independent assessment and start considering a compromise.”
Tags: