Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
208. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of meetings that he participated in with the Teachers Union of Ireland and the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland with regard to junior certificate reform between 3 November 2011 and 4 October 2012; the specific dates on which his meetings with these organisations took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6527/14]
View answer209. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of meetings that he participated in with the Teachers Union of Ireland and the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland with regard to junior certificate reform between 4 October 2012 and 17 January 2014; the specific dates on which his meetings with these organisations took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6528/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
My Department established an Education Partners Consultation Group to provide all the education stakeholders with a formal medium for assisting in the planning of the phased implementation of the Junior Cycle. This group first met on Thursday, September 27, 2012. Subsequent meetings were held on the day of the Framework launch (October 4, 2012) on November 28, 2012, January 22, 2013, February 26, 2013, March 26, 2013, and June 26, 2013.
Bi-lateral meetings were held in the Autumn of 2013. The first meeting of the National Working Group on Junior Cycle Reform took place on Friday, January 17, 2014. Three sub-groups have been established to address CPD, Assessment and School Resources. There was a meeting of the sub-group on resources on January 24, 2014 and further meetings of the sub-groups on assessment and also CPD were held on January 30, 2014. Findings from the sub-groups were reported back to the National Working Group on February 7th and dates have been set for future meetings of the various groups. The National Working Group is due to report to me in May. During the entire period in question, there were also regular meetings of stakeholders through the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment 's structures including the Junior Cycle Board and the Council.
The following information was provided under Standing Order 40A
As you are aware, it is the standard practice that officials, acting on my direction, meet education stakeholders. This is the case in relation to the meetings attended as listed in the response to parliamentary question number 6528.
As referred to in the reply to Parliamentary Question 6528 my Department established an Education Partners Consultation Group to provide all the education stakeholders with a formal medium for assisting in the planning of the phased implementation of the Junior Cycle. This group first met on Thursday, September 27, 2012. Subsequent meetings were held on the day of the Framework launch (October 4, 2012) on November 28, 2012, January 22, 2013, February 26, 2013, March 26, 2013, and June 26, 2013.
Bi-lateral meetings were held in the Autumn of 2013.
The first meeting of the National Working Group on Junior Cycle Reform took place on Friday, January 17, 2014. Three sub-groups have been established to address CPD, Assessment and School Resources.
There was a meeting of the sub-group on resources on January 24, 2014 and further meetings of the sub-groups on assessment and also CPD were held on January 30, 2014.
Findings from the sub-groups were reported back to the National Working Group on February 7th and dates have been set for future meetings of the various groups. The National Working Group is due to report to me in May.
During the entire period in question, there were also regular meetings of stakeholders through the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment 's structures including the Junior Cycle Board and the Council.
I personally attended the following four meetings with TUI representatives; Gerry Craughwell President of TUI on 3RD December 2012; John McGabhann, General Secretary TUI and Gerry Craughwell President on 31st January 2013; John McGabhann General Secretary, Gerry Craughwell President, Gerry Quinn Vice President and Annette Dolan Dep General on 21/3/2013 and on 3rd April 2013 the TUI Annual Congress in the Clayton Hotel Galway.
I personally attended the following three meetings with ASTI representatives; Gerry Breslin President ASTI on 12th December 2012; Pat King, Sec, Gerry Breslin President, Diarmuid de Paor Dep Gen Sec and Sally Maguire Vice President on 21st March and on 2nd April the ASTI Conference.
I also met with TUI and ASTI representatives at the meeting that was held on the morning of the Junior Cycle Framework launch.
I have been fully briefed on the interactions between officials and other education stakeholders in relation to planning for the introduction of the Framework for Junior Cycle.
