Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
John Patrick Kierans

Relief for students as ASTI re-enters Leaving Cert talks with Government

ASTI has re-enters talks with Government on hosting the Leaving Cert this summer.

The union left discussions on Thursday, in a move that was blasted as "beyond unhelpful" by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris.

But after meeting with Minister for Education Norma Foley on Friday, the group has agreed to return to the table.

An ASTI spokeswoman said: "At subsequent engagements with the Minister for Education and her officials, the ASTI raised its concerns about doubts that had been put forward regarding the staging of additional component elements of this year’s Leaving Certificate examinations (coursework, orals, practical exams, etc.) and the consequent relegation of the Leaving Certificate to a secondary position.

"The Minister was unequivocal in her statement of commitment to holding the Leaving Certificate this year.

"On that basis, the ASTI believes that doubts regarding the staging of additional component elements of this year’s Leaving Certificate Examinations have been substantially alleviated. We expect the Minister to ensure that they will take place.

"The ASTI also raised the issue of a lack of data available in many schools to base and inform the parallel/corresponding measure which the Minister is seeking to put in place alongside the Leaving Certificate.

"The Minister has committed to working with stakeholders to strengthen the position in this regard".

They added: "In addition, the ASTI has been assured that the requirement for teachers to provide a list of their students in rank order of merit, like they did last year, will not feature in any corresponding/parallel measure that may be implemented this year.

"On the basis of the foregoing, the ASTI will now re-enter the bilateral discussions process.

"We will continue to constructively engage to seek to ensure ways are found to facilitate this year’s Leaving Certificate students in moving on with their lives."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.