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Watch: Education Minister vows to press on with reforms

The secondary teachers unions are insisting that they are willing to enter further negotiations o...
Newstalk
Newstalk

08.50 28 Feb 2015


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Watch: Education Minister vows...

Watch: Education Minister vows to press on with reforms

Newstalk
Newstalk

08.50 28 Feb 2015


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The secondary teachers unions are insisting that they are willing to enter further negotiations on Junior Cert reform.

They have described compromise proposals by Dr Pauric Travers as a basis for further discussions.

However, Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan says she regrets the failure of the TUI and ASTI to accept the "reasonable compromise".

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The proposals included a recommendation that the junior cycle would be split into two parts - with one marked by the State Exams Commission and the other by teachers.

Ms O'Sullivan says Dr Travers requested that both parties would either accept or reject his proposals as a basis for agreement, not as a starting point for negotiation.

The minister also said the fact that both unions have failed to accept the compromise proposals without balloting their wider membership "on what is significantly different proposal from that put to them for consideration previously is a matter of concern."

But she adds that "one group cannot have a veto on the reforms which all other partners agree are necessary and overdue."

Ms O'Sullivan says she is "open to the unions revising their decision" - but that she will press ahead with the changes:

Following lengthy talks yesterday, the TUI and ASTI said their current stance over reform of the junior cycle had not changed.

And they are keeping the possibility of industrial action under review.

"The unions have decided not to proceed with a strike day at this time. However, because of the absence, so far, of meaningful progress on the key issues above, the current directives in relation to the Framework for Junior Cycle remain in place," the unions said in a joint statement.

The unions say they accept that the document produced by Dr Travers - while not representing a comprehensive resolution - represents a basis for further intensive negotiations.

"If there is meaningful progress in relation to the key issues, the unions are prepared to re-visit the issue of non-cooperation. In such circumstances, the unions would envisage a reciprocal measure by the Department in relation to the assessment timeframe for English," the statement adds.

The unions say further engagement on key issues should proceed without delay.

The secondary school teachers say they will not engage in another strike day at the moment, but will continue their 'work to rule' over the changes to the junior cert, until there is agreement.

Gerry Quinn is president of the TUI.

Originally posted at 12.19pm


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