The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has withdrawn from discussions with the government and other stakeholders on discussions over Leaving Cert 2021.
The teaching union made the decision as they want a guarantee that talks will focus on planning for examinations rather than the two-pronged approach that is in the pipeline at present.
ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie says the current proposal on the table at present ‘would see the Leaving Certificate relegated to a secondary position with Calculated Grades the premier option’.
He said: “We entered a process in good faith to explore the position whereby if the Leaving Certificate or elements of it do not go ahead, a fair and credible choice or option would be available to students.
“It is clear to us that the approach being developed would not provide the meaningful Leaving Certificate experience this cohort of students deserves.
“The process is being developed in a manner that would see the Leaving Certificate relegated to a secondary position with Calculated Grades the premier option.
“The lack of data this year would make the delivery of a credible Calculated Grades process extremely challenging.
“Given the widely accepted additional stress that students are currently experiencing, it is extraordinary that the only option being explored is that they would effectively prepare for two versions of a Leaving Certificate rather than one.
“We are calling for the Minister to re-establish the focus of the talks so that a meaningful Leaving Certificate experience is provided to this cohort of students, which they rightly deserve.”
