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

I thank the Minister for her reply. Given that just 16 teachers have participated in the training for the new English curriculum so far this year, how exactly does she plan to go ahead with the assessment parts of that curriculum next year? Is that at all feasible? Last year, I called for the postponement of the introduction of the new English curriculum pending agreement with teachers. We need to see the Minister sitting down once again with the teaching unions to see whether an agreed way forward can be reached. I do not think it is fair on students for the Minister to drive on during this impasse without teachers having had the appropriate training. Equally, I do not think it is fair on teachers to be expected to do assessment next year. It seems the Minister is requiring that of them even though they have not participated in proper training because of this disagreement.

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