Junior Cycle update
The Minister for Education and Skills has urged schools to await the conclusion of on-going discussions before taking any decisions regarding assessment arrangements for their Junior Cycle students.
Controversy has arisen in recent days in light of the decision of a very small number of schools to opt-out of the Junior Cycle examinations this year.
The ASTI has stated its clear position on the announcement on Good Friday by the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the arrangements for Junior Cycle Examinations in 2020.
The Junior Certificate will not take place. The Minister’s stated intention is that the papers will be distributed to schools in the Autumn and schools would be asked to schedule them internally. There will be no Junior Certificate issued. ASTI is clear that the Junior Certificate is cancelled and will not proceed this year. We have called on the Minister to award a State Certificate to all of this year’s candidates in recognition of their participation in and completion of the three years of Junior Cycle in June 2020.
In that context, it is unnecessary that the pressure of sitting examinations that enjoy no credible status should be imposed these students, either prior to the summer holidays or in the autumn. It should be sufficient that students will finish their courses within the constraints imposed by the current Public Health Emergency restrictions.
We believe that the well-being of these students is best served by the freedom of these students to enjoy the summer of 2020 without the pressure of examinations hanging over them. The ASTI believes teachers and students will have fulfilled their commitment to the Junior Certificate when the present school year ends on May 29th.
The situation with regard to the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement has not been clarified. It is not clear how the proposed school-based examinations would run, who would invigilate them or how they would be corrected.
The Department of Education Press Statement of 10th April states as follows:
Junior Cycle examinations in June replaced with school-based exams and assessments early in the new school year
- Junior Cycle final examinations due to take place in June will be replaced by school-based exams and assessments held early in the new school year.
- As part of the changes to the Junior Cycle, discussions will take place with teacher unions and school management to allow these examinations, linked Classroom-Based Assessments, Assessment Tasks and project work to be completed as school-based assessments early in the next school year.
The ASTI is of the view that all elements of the Junior Certificate are cancelled. The ASTI will not ask members to invigilate and correct the papers when they are circulated to schools in September.
The ASTI has entered discussions at a working group that has been set up by the Department of Education and Skills for contingency planning for State Examinations 2020. The group is a forum where the second-level education stakeholders can all contribute their views and concerns regarding the implementation of the Minister’s decision for the running of the Examinations including the Junior Certificate.
ASTI will be pursuing all issues of concern that have been raised by members in line with ASTI policy.
In a statement issued on 22nd April, and in light of the controversy that has arisen in recent days the Minister for Education has stated the following:
“In relation to Junior Cycle exams, the Minister said: “The best way to address this issue is to allow the group have further discussions, in a spirit of partnership in the best interests of this year’s Junior Cycle students. I would urge schools to await the conclusion of these discussions with the education partners before taking any decisions regarding assessment arrangements for their Junior Cycle students”
ICT grants for schools
Amongst the issues of concern raised by the ASTI in relation to Covid-19 is inequalities in the provision of and access to ICT equipment for students during the school closure period.
In this regard, the Minister for Education and Skills has announced a €7 million Covid-19 ICT funding package for second-level schools to support the purchase of technology and devices. Click here for Statement.
Schools are being asked to prioritise exam classes. A Department Circular outlining the details will be published on the ASTI website as soon as it is available.
The ASTI continues to raise the concerns of ASTI members with the Department of Education and Skills.
Leaving Cert exams announcement
The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD announced on Friday 10 April 2020 that Leaving Certificate written examinations would be postponed until late July/August and that Junior Cycle examinations in June would be replaced with school-based exams and assessments early in the new school year.
The ASTI has stated that it will work to support the Minister for Education and Skills’ decision to postpone the June Leaving Certificate examinations until later this year. The union’s executive body – which met following the Minister's announcement - confirmed its support for a delayed Leaving Cert exams, notwithstanding a number of serious concerns raised by teachers all over the country. The executive reported that members had indicated a willingness to be available where possible to assist with student preparation and face-to-face engagement prior to the examinations.
ASTI President Deirdre Mac Donald said the union will meet with the Department of Education and Skills and other relevant agencies in order to seek to resolve issues raised by its members.
Covid-19: Temporary reassignment of education staff
The Department of Education and Skills has issued Circular 0027/2020 on the temporary reassignment of certain staff in the education sector.
The Circular outlines criteria and procedures for the reassignment of staff in the Education Sector. It is Management’s function to consider how best to utilise staff to facilitate the delivery of education and essential support services to students. Any public service staff member who is not required to be retained in providing education and essential support services and has not been medically advised to self-isolate will be available for assignment on a temporary basis to support delivery of other essential public services.
In relation to teachers, the Circular states that the priority is the continuation of students’ learning and the essential delivery of tuition during the school closure period. In this context the ASTI expects that it is unlikely that a significant number of teachers, if any at all, will be reassigned.
Click here for Circular 0027/2020.
Click here for Department of Education and Skills press statement on temporary assignment arrangements for education/ training staff.
Click here for FAQ document on Temporary assignment arrangements for certain staff in the education and training sector
Substitute teachers
Following representations by ASTI and the other teachers’ unions, the Department of Education has confirmed the following:
If a substitute teacher has been contracted either written or verbally to cover an absence during the school closure period, they will be paid for the period for which they are contracted – for example to cover maternity leave or parental leave.
In relation to teachers who were not contracted to work with a specific employer but who would in the normal course of events have carried out substitution work on a casual basis during the closure period, it has been agreed to extend the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment to such teachers on the following basis:
A substitute teacher will be entitled to the payment if they were in employment immediately before the pandemic. If the teacher has evidence that they worked in March (e.g. payslip) then they are entitled to apply provided they are aged 65 or under and live in the Republic of Ireland.
Where an individual fulfils these criteria, they should apply for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment through www.mywelfare.ie
School meals programme
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has devised updated guidelines for the schools and organisations in the School Meals Programme as they set out to source and supply meals during the extended closures. Click here to readstatement.
Schools closed until April 19
Schools will remain closed until April 19. Teachers will continue to support their schools and students remotely. Click here to read statement.
Click here to read letter from Department of Education and Skills to schools regarding the delivery of education during the Covid-19 school closure period.
State Examination oral and practical performance tests cancelled
All oral and practical performance tests of the state examinations which were originally scheduled to take place from Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April 2020 have been cancelled. All students who were due to take these tests will be awarded full marks for this portion of the exam. See Department statement here and State Examinations Commission statement here. See ASTI response here. See FAQ document from State Examinations Commission on cancellation of Oral and Practical Performance tests here.
Head Office contact details
Due to the covid-19 outbreak, ASTI Head Office is operating normally but remote working is in operation. The contact details are set out below. Every effort will be made to respond promptly and efficiently. Please see list here.
Pay during school closures
Teachers will continue to be paid by the Department of Education and Skills. See Department note on payment of salary/ pension during school closure - click here.
The Department of Education and Skills has implemented remote working for Department staff. This includes the operation of the payroll section. Revised contact details are available here.
There will be delays on the issuing of payslips in the next few weeks due to demands on Revenue staff processing critical correspondence see here for information.
ASTI Convention postponed
ASTI Convention 2020 is being postponed due to COVID-19. The INTO and TUI have also postponed their Easter conferences. See joint statement here.
COVID-19: Special Arrangements
The ASTI is liaising with the Department of Education and Skills in relation to teachers and COVID-19. ASTI members are advised to check the ASTI website on a regular basis and the following Department of Education and Skills webpage - click here.
The Department of Education and Skills has issued Circular 0024/2020 which details special arrangements for teachers during the Covid-19 Delay Phase. This Circular sets arrangements in relation to Restricted Movement, Self-Isolation, and Special Leave with Pay.
Click here for Circular 0024/2020
Circular 0024/2020 supersedes Circular 0020/2020.
Keeping well in challenging times
The Department of Education and Skills operates an Employee Assistance Service for the 55,000 teachers in the country. The scheme is run by Inspire Workplace Services (formerly Carecall), which provides a 24 hour 7 day help line for teachers.
The Employment Assistance Service helpline can be contacted on 1800 411 057
The ASTI along with TUI and INTO had been seeking such a service for many years. Under Health & Safety legislation employers have a duty of care for their employers and this service is funded by the Department to address part of that duty.
Teachers who are experiencing personal and work-related problems e.g. health, relationships, addictions, bereavements, stress, trauma etc will now be able to get direct access to advice. Where appropriate this may involve free short term confidential one-to-one counselling.
Further information on the service is attainable from ASTI. More information is available here.
Further information
Department of Education and Skills: COVID-19 announcements - Click here.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidance note for HR in the Civil and Public Service - Click here.
ASTI President and General Secretary statement to members re. Covid-19 - Click here.
Circular Letter 0024/2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Delay Phase Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised primary and post primary schools - Click here.
For ASTI FAQs click here.
Click here for Irish Congress of Trade Unions web page on safe working during Covid-19
