Second-level teachers have overwhelmingly voted to take industrial action over plans by the Minister for Education and Skills to abolish the Junior Certificate State Exam. In separate ballots, members of the ASTI and members of the TUI voted by 88% to 12% in favour of industrial action. The two unions represent approximately 27,000 second-level teachers.

Commenting on the ballot results ASTI General Secretary Pat King said: “Teachers have always been willing to modernise the Junior Certificate and Junior Cycle education. However, they are not prepared to implement educationally unsound proposals which are being unilaterally imposed on them. Teachers believe the Minister’s proposals will undermine education standards. They are demanding genuine consultation on their concerns. The Minister has an opportunity to make sure this happens before industrial action begins to impact on schools.”

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said: “Our members value the high level of public trust in Ireland’s education system. Their vote for industrial action reflects a deep concern that the Minister’s proposals will impact negatively on the educational experience of young people and on the quality of the education system. They want improvements that are based on equity and consistency. They also want a fair assessment system, externally assessed with state certification. We call upon the Minister to engage meaningfully with us.”

The Framework for Junior Cycle is due to be implemented in schools from September 2014.

Industrial action in the form of non-co-operation with the introduction and implementation of the Minister’s Framework for Junior Cycle proposals will begin on Monday, April 7th. This will include: 

* withdrawal from training and planning activities in relation to the Framework for Junior Cycle;
* non-cooperation with the development and delivery of Framework for Junior Cycle short courses;  and
* non-engagement with school-based assessment.

Source: ASTI/TUI Press Release

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