Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Implementation has commenced in respect of English. All of the other education partners have supported the changes. We held detailed negotiations with the unions. A relatively small percentage of ASTI members voted. They have rejected the proposals despite the fact that their leaders signed up to them. We are continuing to engage with the leaders, who are engaging with their members to determine whether any issue needs to be clarified. We are available to provide that clarification.

I am determined and reject the suggestion that we have not succeeded in making progress. We have done. Implementation has commenced in the schools and will continue. It will change the way that teaching and learning happen in the classroom. It will be of great benefit, in particular to students who are in danger of being alienated from school because of the old system in which the written exam was the be all and end all. There will still be a written exam, but there will also be a practical assessment in the classroom.

I intend to provide whatever clarification the ASTI needs and hope it will be able to participate in the programme in the near future.

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