A new circular letter issued by the Department of Education has indicated that schools will be allowed to close for three days in the 2016/17 school year to allow teachers and principals prepare for the new Junior Certificate programme.

Teachers will also be granted additional time for training and professional development courses. However, at the moment the closures and training will only apply in schools where the teachers have signed up to the reforms, ie those represented by the TUI.

The ASTI continues to oppose the reforms and as they represent up to two-thirds of secondary schools, it is unlikely that the closures and training will take place in the majority of schools.

The new JC English syllabus was introduced to students participating schools in 2014. The new approaches to Science and Business Studies are scheduled to be introduced to first year students in September 2016.

View the full circular letter issued by the Dept of Education here

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