Secondary schools are closed across the country today as teachers strike over Junior Cert reform proposals.
Some 27,000 post-primary teachers are engaging in the action, which means a day to do their Christmas shopping for around 350,000 students.
Thousands of teachers are in picket lines showing their opposition to a proposed new Junior Cert.
ASTI President Philip Irwin said that “a significant threat to education standards and education quality. They are reluctantly taking strike action today in protest at what they see as a significant threat to education standards and education quality in Ireland. However, we are open to further engagement with the Minister on this issue in an effort to seek a solution.”
He said they’re open to new talks with Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan, or else another day of strikes will take place in January.
But who is wrong here, in your opinion? Has the government yet again failed the electorate, and in this case, the young people? Or are the teachers right – will continous assessment and a lower level junior cycle qualification leave the new generation at a disadvantage? Is it purely about money?