Half of Ireland's schools not ready for new Junior Cert programme
Half of Ireland's secondary school principals say they don't have the capacity to introduce the new Junior Cycle.
The union representing Ireland's secondary school teachers is meeting with the Department of Education today to discuss concerns over Junior Cert reform.
From 2014, the old junior certificate exam will be scrapped and a new-look junior cycle will be introduced.
The Education Minister claims it will focus on literacy and numeracy, bringing a modern approach to assessment and reporting.
However teachers claim many schools won't be able to implement the proposals after years of cuts to education funding.
"Schools are not prepared for this," said Pat King, General Secretary of the ASTI.
"They haven't got the staffing, and teachers are also concerned that they haven't received - and won't receive - the kind of in-service that's essential in introducing a new programme."
