The Education Minister says the reform of the Junior Cycle has to happen – despite objections from second level teachers.
Ruairi Quinn tried to defend his plans in an address at the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland conference yesterday.
However he was repeatedly heckled and jeered by the ASTI delegates – who are refusing to co-operate with the changes.
Today, the Minister addresses the TUI congress, with Junior Cert reform again expected to be on the agenda.
Last night, the event heard from a Shannon teacher who claimed that young teachers are being forced to take up second jobs at night because cuts to their school hours mean they're not paid enough.
Past President of the TUI, and teacher at St. Patrick's Comprehensive Bernie Ruane has said professional teachers are working in fast food restaurants because they haven't got decent contracts.
Separately, a Clare teacher who's set to lead the Irish National Teachers Organisation has accused the Education Minister of running away from issues like class size focussing on religion and school patronage instead.
Mullagh National School Principal Sean McMahon will become president of the INTO later today, and has pledged to fight for smaller rural schools, overcrowded classrooms in other areas and fairer teachers’ pay.
Minister Quinn has told the INTO that he is disappointed with the pace of reform in how religion is taught in primary schools, but Sean McMahon says he believes all Clare national schools are genuinely inclusive
He thinks the Minister is placing more emphasis on this issue rather than other, more pressing needs.
