Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I asked the previous Minister for Education and Skills whether he thought people in the Department or teachers were the greater experts. He conceded that teachers were the greater experts, although he rightly considered himself a political expert as Minister for Education and Skills. Many myths have grown up around this strike so I will reiterate the truth about it to the Seanad today, without interruption from my colleagues in Fine Gael.

External examination is the key to the standard of how all students regard the junior certificate examination. It is the key to how all students believe in it. It is the truth of the external examination they want maintained, along with the aspect of the external examination that remains above reproach. They want the human objectivity of the external examination maintained, along with the idea that the process is done at national arm's length. The teachers are not against creativity, imagination, project work or advanced technology in arts, literature or music. They just want these to be externally examined. There are myths growing up around this on television and radio.

The Minister is not arguing the point when she speaks of reform. Of course we must have reform, which we have every day of the week in Montessori and at middle, second and third level. There must be external examination and in this instance, the teachers are correct. The Minister facilitated us last week with an Adjournment debate on the issue but I would like her to answer on what she intends to do now. The matter is not going away and in this instance, the teachers are correct.