Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not necessarily about moving slowly, given we would like to see reform progress. It is about moving together. My key complaint and problem with the way the Minister has handled this is that the movement has not been together. Progress and reform is to be done in partnership, not by directive.

On the two occasions when the timeframe was set for junior cycle reform to roll out, it was set by the Minister and announced in such a way that the media heard it before the education partners did. Then, before the working groups were set up last autumn, a new timeframe was put in place. How was that done? Was it done after consultation with the partners on this important education reform, one the Minister described as a personal political project? No. Once again, when it had become clear that the way and the pace at which it was to be rolled out were becoming a problem, instead of engaging and then reassessing how it would be rolled out, the Minister once again unilaterally set out a new timeframe. He then set up subgroups and working groups, which he was not part of, and left his Department to it. That is why we are now facing into a situation where the teachers are commencing industrial action and protest action at lunchtimes next month.

The question specifically refers to the independent assessment and verification of exams. Will the Minister open his door to engaging with others who are involved in this process and to address the issues they feel are important, such as independent assessment and resources?

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