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

Unfortunately, we are further behind in the delivery of junior certificate reform than we were when the Government entered office. A large part of that lies at the door of this Government and the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Quinn, in deciding to move away from an agreed working document on how to deliver reform, to introduce his own proposals on doing away with the examination and demanding that all teachers mark the full new junior cycle. Deputy Quinn tried to bulldoze through reform and did not consult.

Thankfully, the current Minister started to take a different approach when she entered office. She engaged and reverted to the point of the original document that was in place when the Government entered office. It is unfortunate that she is now adopting Deputy Quinn's approach of bulldozing through reforms without trying to repair the damage done to relations or address concerns about resources and training.

In a survey conducted by the ASTI about the continuous professional development, CPD, provided by the Department on the framework for the junior cycle, a total of 40% of respondents stated that the training provided ahead of the implementation of the new English curriculum did not increase their confidence to teach the specifications. This is no surprise, given that the total amount of training offered was one day. These are real issues and must be addressed. It is unfortunate that the Minister has taken up Deputy Quinn's mantle and is trying to drive reform through without agreement or proper respect for the role that teachers play.

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