Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
105. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to concerns that a possible union ban on training for the new English syllabus will delay plans for the implementation of a new style junior certificate next September. [42208/13]
View answer121. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the implications of the ASTI industrial action for the introduction of the new junior certificate reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42237/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 121 together.
The new Junior Cycle gives flexibility and autonomy to schools by allowing them the opportunity to design their own curriculum in order to meet the needs of their students.
There is a dedicated Continuous Professional Development service in place called Junior Cycle for Teachers and a comprehensive plan of CPD for this and future years is being developed. JCT will provide CPD opportunities to both school leaders and teachers to support them as they plan and introduce their school's Junior Cycle programme in the 2013/14 school year for implementation in 2014/15. In the current school term, JCT is offering workshops for leaders as well as for all post-primary teachers of English. It is too early to comment on the uptake of CPD.
In regard to ASTI's industrial action, I would again ask ASTI to examine the costs to their members of remaining outside the Agreement and to reflect further, particularly given that the non-implementation of the Agreement will have the greatest impact on young, newly-qualified teachers.
