asked the Minister for Education the steps she proposes to take in order to ensure that the new junior cycle syllabus will be taught from September 1989 and examined in 1992.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Junior Cycle Syllabus.
3.
asked the Minister for Education the resources available, in addition to in-service training, for the introduction of the junior certificate, particularly in view of her failure to increase capital available to secondary schools in the last two budgets.
19.
asked the Minister for Education (a) the precise arrangements which have been made for in-service training for the junior certificate (b) precise arrangements for assessment in each of the seven new syllabuses and (c) precise resources in addition to in-service training which she intends to make available to schools for the successful implementation of the junior certificate.
26.
asked the Minister for Education the provision she is making for funding to meet the cost of the implementation of the junior cycle certificate to individual schools.
39.
asked the Minister for Education the provision which is being made (a) to ensure that fully adequate in-service courses are available to teachers to facilitate the professional introduction and development of the new junior cycle syllabuses in September 1989, (b) to provide the resources necessary for the introduction of the new syllabuses and their evaluation over the three year junior cycle and (c) for the on-going evaluation of the syllabuses.
44.
asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her policy on the proposed new junior cycle in post-primary schools, in the light of decisions by the ASTI and TUI not to implement it until proper and adequate in-service training was provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
53.
asked the Minister for Education when she intends to meet the two post-primary teacher unions, the ASTI and the TUI, in regard to the impasse which has now arisen with regard to the implementation of the new junior certificate.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 5, 19, 26, 39, 44 and 53 together.
What about the Priority Questions?
I deal with whoever puts down the question.
In the autumn of 1988 each second level school was circulated with copies of the seven new syllabuses, an information brochure outlining the key issues involved in the junior certificate and a video illustrating the central developments of the new syllabuses. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment subsequently convened information seminars throughout the country to introduce teachers to the new syllabuses.
I sought additional funding for in-service training and secured an allocation of £698,000 for 1989. This represented an increase of 124 per cent on the previous year and it is intended that the bulk of this allocation will be devoted to in-service training in relation to the junior certificate syllabuses. In-service courses already held in February and March this year involved 14,000 teachers in 36 centres countrywide.
A radical start has now been made on in-service training. This represents the first step in ensuring that teachers and pupils will be able to derive maximum benefit from the new junior cycle programme. This process is an ongoing one. Guidelines and other materials amended following the in-service courses, will be circulated to schools later this school-year.
Introductory circular letters sent out to schools with the syllabuses stated that the syllabuses were to be implemented within existing resource allocations. This approach was adopted on the basis that the syllabuses offered sufficient flexibility of approach to enable implementation within existing resources. However, representations have been made to me by both teacher unions and school management authorities and I will be having discussions with them in the near future to acquaint myself in detail with their concern in this regard.
I am aware that some confusion appears to have arisen over the question of the proposed assessment procedures which I think stems from a misinterpretation of the term "assessment" itself.
I am proposing to advance the oral component in languages to consolidate the valuable progress the aural experience has already achieved. This will of course include Irish.
To assist with the on-going evaluation of the junior certificate programme I will have further reports on the matter.
The time has expired for dealing with questions nominated for priority. I am proceeding to deal with other questions.
May I put a supplementary?
I apologise to the Deputies concerned.
We have seen a filibuster.
The Deputy has been responsible primarily for the misuse of Question Time.
Not for the first part.
I wish to register my disappointment.
Question No. 5 has been dealt with, I now call Question No. 6.