THE MINISTER FOR Education has invited the two secondary school teachers unions to enter talks on the new Junior Cert cycle.

The ASTI have welcomed the invitation adding that the Junior Cycle Working Group discussions have not addressed their key concerns.

Ruairí Quinn said he was disappointed that greater progress had not been made at the Working Group.

It’s made up of education stakeholders including management bodies, parents and the ASTI and TUI.

Pat King from the ASTI said:

Today’s announcement follows the ASTI’s presentation to the Minister of a petition signed by almost 10,000 ASTI members opposing the Minister’s Framework for the Junior Cycle.

Minister Quinn said he will chair the talks, he also added that they would not begin until after the state exams.

King added, “We welcome the Minister’s acknowledgement that teachers want to see the Junior Cycle reformed.

However it is vital that students are placed at the centre of Junior Cycle reform and that the assessment of Junior Cycle students is fair, impartial, transparent and consistent.

Read: Majority of teachers say schools won’t be able to cope with new Junior Cycle>

Read: Ruairí Quinn: Being booed and heckled by teachers ‘certainly wasn’t enjoyable’>

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