Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The "Teachers' Voice" is a report based on the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, ASTI's consultation with teachers on the new framework for junior cycle. It is valuable to have access to these findings, which are being considered within the Department.

At the ASTI conference, the Minister, Deputy Quinn, made a point of commending the ASTI for the content of the report and the process that led to its publication. He has read the report and is listening carefully to the concerns of teachers. The Department has established an education partners consultation group to provide the partners, including the ASTI, with a formal medium for assisting in the planning of the phased implementation of the junior cycle. The croup meets every four to six weeks, providing an opportunity to highlight opportunities and challenges. In addition, the ASTI is represented on the key National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, structures responsible for the development of the curriculum, including the council and its substructures.

Teachers will be provided with a comprehensive continuing professional development, CPD, programme from autumn 2013 that will address many of the concerns highlighted in the ASTI report.

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