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

"Disappointing" is a fair verdict on the progress. However, it is similar to the Government's approach to junior certificate reform and other key reform measures which the Government wanted to achieve. Unfortunately, the way the Government has gone about its business and tried to achieve reform in the education system has been counter-productive. It has been more about headlines and trying to gain a reputation in the media for being pioneering and reforming than about delivering it on the ground to students. The junior certificate reform failed to meet expectations due to the Government's approach. We must breathe new life into it. It is important that there be more plurality in the ethos of primary schools, and I urge the Minister to take up the baton again, with the church leaders, who have indicated that they are open to it, and move forward in a manner that tries to achieve real progress.

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