ASTI members rule out assessing Leaving

MEMBERS of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland have unanimously voted against students being assessed by their own teachers in the Leaving Cert cycle.

This follows the introduction of controversial Junior Cert changes, which were criticised by teachers who believe that the system has led to a drop in academic standards.

ASTI general secretary, Kieran Christie, told the conference in Cork yesterday that teachers are not opposed to senior cycle reform. However, he added that radical curriculum change cannot be introduced without engaging with teachers.

‘ASTI has for many years had a policy that we will not assess our own students for certificate examination purposes. That is something that is not going to change,’ Mr Christie said. ‘ASTI supports externally assessed state examinations, not for selfish reasons but because they meet the professional requirements of any national examination, namely, that it is fair, transparent and objective.’

Addressing the concerns of teachers over Junior Cert reform, Mr Christie added: ‘The prolonged dispute between the ASTI and the Department of Education and Skills on the Framework for Junior Cycle underlines the fact that substantial change to teachers’ professional work requires agreement – not imposition.

‘Teachers deserve to have their professional knowledge and experience respected and to have their concerns listened to.’

The union also unanimously passed a motion that no further curricular change be introduced without consultation with teachers.

Members of all three teacher unions voted overwhelmingly this week to ballot for industrial action, up to and including strikes, if pay cuts are not resolved by early May.