Proposals agreed to resolve teachers dispute

The dispute between secondary school teachers and the Department of Education over plans to reform Junior Cycle education appears to have been resolved.

The disagreement largely centred over proposals that teachers would assess their own students' work as part of the new Junior Cycle Student Award (JCSA).

The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) has issued a statement this morning, saying:

“A proposal to resolve the dispute over Junior Cycle reform has been agreed between the Department and the leadership of the second-level teaching unions. The leadership of the ASTI and the TUI, along with Minister O'Sullivan, have committed their support and strong endorsement to these clearly stated proposals, outlined in a document entitled 'Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation'.

This document will be presented by the leadership of both unions to their executives on Friday. The Department will also present the document for discussion to all education stakeholders. The proposals will be published in full following these meetings on Friday evening.

There is no indication in the statement on the most contentious issue in the dispute - if teachers will be required to assess their own students as part of the overhaul of the Junior Cert.