The Minister reiterated his genuine belief that continuing dialogue between his Department and the ASTI would be in the best interests of schools, parents, students and teachers as is evidenced by the agreements reached with the INTO and TUI on issues of mutual concern. It is regrettable that ASTI seem determined to pursue a route of confrontation rather than dialogue.
The Minister reiterated his Department’s offer that if ASTI suspend their directive to withdraw from the Croke Park hours, then the Department would suspend the implementation of measures associated with the repudiation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Minister believes that this would provide a more constructive context for talks to take place. It would also mean that thousands of ASTI teachers would receive the payment for supervision and substitution as well as other benefits and protections, under the Lansdowne Road agreement. ASTI previously refused this offer.
The Minister emphasised that his Department remains available to meet with ASTI to discuss their issues of concern, including issues relating to new entrant pay. The INTO and the TUI have had a series of meetings with the Department of Education and Public Expenditure since July to fully scope out the issues relating to pay arrangements for newly qualified teachers recruited since 1 February 2012. This engagement has been taking place in the context of both unions’ acceptance of the Lansdowne Road Agreement, and having regard to the recent agreement in respect of fire-fighters in local government. The parties have reported productive progress in the discussions to date and the aim is to conclude the current discussions by early this month.
Notes to Editor
Croke Park Hours
On 19th May<UrlBlockedError.aspx> of this year ASTI balloted to withdraw from the Croke Park hours. These are 33 hours per year – less than one hour per week – which were agreed under previous public service agreements, which mean that schools can carry out essential activities such as school planning and parent-teacher meetings outside of timetabled teaching time. Before the Croke Park hours were introduced, schools closed for full days or half days in order to carry out these activities, causing interruption to tuition and significant inconvenience for parents.
In response to union concerns regarding the usage of the Croke Park hours, the Department recently agreed with INTO and TUI that the usage would be reviewed, having regard to teacher professional judgement, system and school requirements and experience to date of best practice in the utilisation of the hours.
The Minister had invited ASTI to meet with himself and the Department to discuss issues of concern on several occasions. Having declined previous invitations, ASTI accepted the invitation on the 28th of June<UrlBlockedError.aspx>. On the same day, ASTI issued a directive to its members to cease fulfilling the Croke Park hours with effect from 11 July. This decision acts as a clear rejection of the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
The Lansdowne Road Agreement provides a number of benefits and protections, including the payment of a supervision and substitution payment, which is being paid from 1st September to INTO and TUI members who are party to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
The Department held a meeting with ASTI on the 7th of July, to listen to their concerns and try to come to a constructive resolution. In this meeting, the Department suggested that ASTI suspend their directive to withdraw from the Croke Park hours and in return the Department would suspend the implementation of measures associated with the repudiation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. This suggestion was intended to provide time and space for both parties to meaningfully engage on the issues at hand. It would also have meant that ASTI members would have received a payment for Supervision and Substitution under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, as well as other benefits and protections.
It was made clear to ASTI that this suggestion was not intended as a pre-condition to talks, but rather to create a more constructive context within which talks could proceed. It was also intended to ensure that any disruption to schools from September, arising from ASTI actions, could be avoided during the period of the talks.
The ASTI Standing Committee decided not to accept this suggestion and the union is proceeding with their withdrawal from the Croke Park hours, which will lead to disruption in schools in the new school year.
Despite the union's clear intention, Minister Bruton remains of the belief that continuing dialogue between the Department and ASTI is in the best interests of schools, parents, students and teachers.
New entrants’ pay
Officials from the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and representatives from the INTO and TUI have had a series of meetings since July to fully scope out the issues relating to pay arrangements for newly qualified teachers recruited since 1 February 2012.
This engagement has been taking place in the context of both unions’ acceptance of the Lansdowne Road Agreement, and having regard to the recent agreement in respect of fire-fighters in local government.
The purpose of the engagement is to achieve agreement on an approach and timeframe for addressing the issue. There is no mechanism for progressing the issue outside the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
The parties have reported productive progress in the discussions to date and the aim is to conclude the current discussions by early this month.
Junior Cycle Reform
The new Junior Cycle has been developed over several years and is now in the process of being implemented. Minister Bruton held a meeting with ASTI on this subject in June, and indicated that he and his Department are willing to discuss any clarifications and issues around implementation. He hopes to have further engagement with ASTI on this subject.
Additional professional time is now being provided, within timetable, for all teachers who are delivering the new junior cycle subjects and other new resources are being provided to their schools to support implementation.
Implementation is proceeding in TUI schools and in many schools where there are both ASTI and TUI teachers.
• Through the new Junior Cycle, students will have better learning opportunities;
• Students will have opportunities to develop a wider range of knowledge and skills – in particular some of the key skills that we know will equip them for further learning, for work, for responsible and active citizenship, and for healthy living.
• Non-academic performance and achievements are now rewarded;
• Student’s quality of life, wellbeing and mental health are a central focus;
• This has been a long, evidence-based, intensively researched process; NCCA has researched developments and best practice in many countries and systems and the curriculum arrangements have been piloted in 40 pilot schools
• There has been widespread consultation and there continues to be intensive consultation before and during the writing of each of the curriculum specifications for each subject
• Change is already underway: the first round of Classroom-Based Assessments (CBA) operated successfully in ETB and other participating schools; the supports needed by teachers were provided; and CPD was successful.