Second level teachers' union the ASTI has said it will instigate dispute process mechanisms to seek to advance the "significant" concerns of teachers regarding senior cycle redevelopment.
Meeting in Killarney the union's executive agreed to, "in the first instance", seek resolution of the issues of concern to teachers by invoking dispute resolution mechanisms available to them under the current Public Service Agreement.
"The pressing concerns of teachers include the exacerbation of inequalities for students, the lack of adequate infrastructural supports and human resources in many schools, and developments in AI which create substantial authentication issues for new Leaving Cert Additional Assessment Components, among others," ASTI president Donal Cremin said.
Under changes due to be introduced from this coming September, at least 40% of Leaving Certificate students final marks will be awarded for projects carried out during the school year, called Additional Assessment Components. The terminal June exams will be worth just 60% of marks or less in the case of some subjects.
The first subjects to experience the shift include the three main science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. They are among 7 subjects for which the change will be introduced this September for incoming 5th year students.
What impact will the changes to Senior Cycle have?
Earlier this month, ASTI members voted to reject the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures by 68% to 32%. The results came in a ballot with a particularly high turnout of 73%.
The document contained measures designed to assuage teachers.
Just over two-thirds of ASTI members also voted in favour of industrial action, if necessary, up to and including strike action, in the event of rejection of the support measures.
The union has not ruled out industrial action.
"The ASTI’s strong mandate to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, will remain in place if the process detailed in the Public Service Agreement fails to produce a satisfactory outcome," said Mr Cremin.
