Breakthrough in Junior Cycle reform talks
A breakthrough appears to have been reached on reforming the Junior Cert.
Teachers' unions and the Department of Education have agreed a proposal to resolve the ongoing dispute which has seen two days of strike action.
Both unions will meet on Friday, after which the proposals will be published.
The Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan said discussions on reducing the focus on one terminal exam, classroom-based assessment and greater professional collaboration between teachers were among the principles leading to the agreement.
Last week, the two teachers unions wrote to the Education Minster in a bid to end the long-running row, which has seen schools close for two full days and teachers not engage in training.
The ASTI and the TUI identified five key principles needed to reform the Junior Cycle, and previously referred to by Jan O'Sullivan, including the measures above.
