Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Education and Skills did stand back to consider the proposals that were on the table. She engaged with the teachers, listened to them, took on board what they had said and changed the nature of the proposals. Change is always difficult to accept. It was not the Minister or the students who called the strike; it was called by the teachers. One element of what the Minister is proposing that is in the interests of teachers is the conditioning and demonstration of the assessment methods for the examinations. There is a strong element of national assessment in the junior certificate. As the Deputy is aware, it is an examination that has to evolve and change in the changing world in which we live. I agree that the strike is avoidable. Even today it can be avoided if the teachers take on board that the Minister has engaged with them and is willing to continue engaging with them. There is a changed element of assessment and support is being provided for teachers to do their jobs. It is about the quality of the students who can emerge from the process, the integrity of the examination system and the capacity of teachers to undertake this element of work. They know all of this. The changes being proposed by the Minister are reasonable and fair and the outcome of engaging and listening to the teachers. The strike is avoidable and the only ones who will suffer are the children and students. I ask teachers at this late stage to take this on board.

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