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ASTI members reject Junior Cycle Proposals while TUI accepts deal
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 24/09/2015.
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Tags: Teachers Parenting
The country’s largest second-level teachers’ union, the ASTI, has voted to reject the latest Junior Cycle proposals.
Members of the ASTI have rejected the proposals by 55% to 45%.
Speaking today, ASTI President Máire G. Ní Chiarba said that, while the latest proposals address a number of significant issues, in an era of education cuts, diminished resources for students and increased teacher workload, teachers do not have faith in the Government.
“Second-level schools and teachers are delivering much more with far less. In this context teachers do not trust the Government to adequately resource and support schools as they implement the significant changes required by the Junior Cycle proposals.”
Ms Ní Chiarba also said ASTI members have expressed concern about the lack of clarity in the latest Junior Cycle proposals. “Teachers needed far more clarity and detail about how the process will operate in reality.”
“ASTI members are committed to educationally sound reform of the Junior Cycle. We have participated in a robust campaign including two days of strike action which led to significant advances in negotiations. The ASTI will now engage with its members in order to consider how best to pursue the outstanding concerns of teachers,” said Máire G. Ní Chiarba.
However, TUI members have voted in a ballot to accept proposals for Junior Cycle reform following negotiations between the unions and the Department of Education and Skills.
TUI members voted in favour of acceptance of the negotiated document by a margin of 69% to 31% on a turnout of 60%.
Speaking today, TUI President, Gerry Quinn said: ‘The negotiated document provides for reinstatement of a fully externally assessed, state certified Junior Certficate examination and professional time is provided for teachers. Therefore, our key objectives were attained.
We approached the negotiations seeking to improve second level education while protecting teachers from exploitation, and TUI members have decided in a ballot that these key, complementary concerns have been appropriately addressed.
Our principled position has been protected. The document explicitly acknowledges that significant change must be appropriately resourced from the start.’
Source: Statements on ASTI website
and TUI website
SchoolDays
(24-09-2015 13:19)
24 September, 2015 - Statement by Minister Jan OSullivan, TD
Commenting after the declaration of the results by both the TUI and the ASTI Minister OSullivan said:
I welcome the strong endorsement for the agreed programme for reform by the Teachers Union of Ireland. These proposals are the result of approximately nine months of negotiation between my Department and both teacher unions. The new Framework for Junior Cycle has the capacity to deliver real reform in partnership with teachers.
However, the decision by 55% of ASTI members who voted to reject the agreed proposals is deeply disappointing. That said, I note that the ASTI intends to engage with its members in relation to outstanding concerns.
Over the coming period I will consult with other education stakeholders, including students, parents and management bodies.
In recent weeks the cohort of students who will sit the reformed Junior Cycle have begun 2nd year. It is unfortunate that in the long negotiation on junior cycle reform that their voice has often been lost in the debate. Their interests will be to the forefront of my thinking on the way forward in implementing junior cycle reform in the coming weeks.
SchoolDays
(26-09-2015 12:09)
25th Sept 2015
ASTI Statement following Standing Committee meeting on Junior Cycle ballot result
The ASTI has announced that it will continue its current industrial action.
ASTI members voted to reject the proposals in a ballot by 55% to 45%.
Teachers, the practitioners in the classroom understand how best to improve teaching and learning. Their concerns are very real and we intend to ensure they are addressed, said ASTI President Mire G. N Chiarba.
Ms. N Chiarba added that the union will engage intensively with its members on the issues of most concern to them.
ASTI Standing Committee will re-issue its industrial action directive on non-cooperation with the Junior Cycle including non-attendance at continuing professional development and non-engagement with any aspect of school-based assessment.