While I have not received any formal objections from the Irish National Teachers Organisation about the use of curriculum profiles, I am aware of concerns among some Irish National Teachers Organisation members regarding the use of the Drumcondra English profiles in schools. Concerns have been expressed, for example, that the individual profile cards are too detailed; that their use would be too time-consuming; that teachers will spend too much time testing rather than teaching; and that the validity of the indicator sets is questionable.
My officials are involved in discussions with the Irish National Teachers Organisation on this matter and I understand that the Irish National Teachers Organisation is not opposed to curriculum profiles per se. It fully appreciates that the use of the Drumcondra English profiles, which were supplied to all schools by my Department, is not mandatory and that teachers and schools are free to use them to the extent that they find them of benefit.