Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note the very sensible and inspirational words uttered in the Dáil by Mr. Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament.

He spoke about the importance of the Heads of State honouring their agreement that sovereign and bank debt be separated. He stated clearly that unless that happened, the citizens of Europe would lose trust in the Union. We need to stand firmly behind this view. I am delighted with his showing of common sense because the people are feeling this also.

I welcome the proposals made by the Minister for Education and Skills for reform of the junior certificate programme. They are radical and represent a significant shift in mindset. The Minister proposes to introduce a new national standardised testing system in second year to assess literacy and numeracy levels; a school-based assessment, with teachers marking students; and provide for the issuing of a school certificate instead of a State junior certificate. If this new radical approach improves student learning, I am all for it. If it improves how students think, if they are taught to be thinkers, instead of how to regurgitate information, that will be good. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House to discuss these reforms. How can we reassure parents and students about the standards applicable to teachers and schools? Unless this is successful, the credibility of the system will fall apart. They are new and significant reforms, but we must ensure we maintain the good while embracing the new.