Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Paschal Mooney referred to the talks on junior cycle reform between the teacher unions and the Minister for Education and Skills. It is a matter of regret to us all that those talks have not achieved a resolution of the differences of opinion on this issue. I agree with Senator Gerard Craughwell that this is not the end of the matter; there is an ongoing process on engagement. To be fair to the Minister, she has already made significant moves to accommodate the unions' concerns. Senator Rónán Mullen fairly described what she has proposed as a "compromise offer". I do not agree with Senator Mooney that there has been posturing by the Minister or the unions on this issue. On the contrary, both sides are seeking to move to a resolution and I hope we will see that happen.

As a parent and educator, I believe passionately in the need for junior cycle reform. As such, I take issue very strongly with Senator Mullen's suggestion that this is all about cost. Anybody who knows anything about the proposed reforms - Senator Craughwell will know all about them - is aware that they are a long time in the making. In fact, junior cycle reform has been discussed for almost 30 years and reforms of the type now being implemented were first proposed in 1999 by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. There is a very obvious rationale for what is being contemplated. First, times have moved on and, fortunately, the majority of pupils no longer leave school after the junior certificate. As a result, the latter is no longer the document people require to get employment. Instead, it now simply marks a passage through the secondary school cycle on the way to the leaving certificate, with the latter now, quite rightly, the much more significant and important document. Second, pedagogical methods have moved on and we now know that exam-based assessment is not the best way of measuring students' learning and knowledge. It is not the best method of ensuring a quality education system.