Teacher's union chief warns against proposal to end Junior Cert
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) today stated that any changes to the Junior Certificate programme should only be for reasons that would benefit students rather than to generate savings to the Exchequer.
The union was responding to media speculation suggesting that the examination could be abolished in the near future.
"If the Junior Certificate was to be amended or curtailed then it should be solely for educational and not cost saving reasons," said TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin said.
"Any changes should only be taken in a measured fashion and any savings accrued should be retained in education, enabling the restoration of teachers lost as a result of recent cutbacks."
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is the statutory body charged with examining the programme and will report on it at a later date, and TUI has representatives on this body.
"From an educational perspective, we believe that parents and pupils do need a form of evaluation of progress in or around the age of 15," said MacMenamin.
"However, this does not necessarily have to be a full formal written exam in a form similar to the Leaving Certificate. Many teachers have expressed concerns to us over the years that while the Junior Certificate has evolved with time, it does still not fully embrace the project work and other forms of experiential and exploratory learning that would benefit all students.
"Alternative modes of evaluation will of their nature assess differing skills of pupils."
"As a union we do not in principle oppose school based assessment provided that consistency of assessment across all schools would be assured and appropriate time, professional development and remuneration for teachers provided."
MacMenamin also warned that any cost savings from ending the Junior Certificate exam should be re0invested back into education.
"Any money saved from changing the current system would have to be ring-fenced for targeted education investment, such as funding the employment of teachers lost as a result of the education cutbacks to date," he said.
"TUI has always been open to suggestions on the most appropriate testing mechanisms or mix of mechanisms for students, and we will engage fully in the proper forums. However, we must stress again that any changes should be for educational rather than budgetary reasons."
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