Teachers think changes to the Junior Cert pose serious threats to education

Over 27,000 secondary school teachers across Ireland are expected to protest because they are worried about the introduction of the new Junior Cert syllabus. 

 

Rallies are planned outside every post-primary school at lunchtime by members of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) , who are highly concerned about the new changes.

 

According to the teachers taking part in the protests, the proposals by Education Minister Rurairi Quinn “pose serious threats to education standards and to the objectivity and transparency of Junior Cycle examinations”.

 

The Government wants to replace the present Junior Certificate with a programme that gives students a chance to develop their creativity and learn independently. 

 

But since this new syllabus has less focus on sit-in exams, teachers think it is a dangerous move, especially since they don’t have the necessary resources. 

 

Just yesterday, the Department of Education issued a circular to schools, confirming that the new programme will begin this September.This means that the protest could have very little effect on the future of the new Junior Certificate programme.

 

The president of the Teachers Union of Ireland, says that schools will not be disrupted by the protest.