The Minister for Education Norma Foley has urged the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) to begin fresh talks on the format of this year's Leaving Certificate exams after the union pulled out of talks yesterday evening.
Ms Foley has invited the ASTI and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) to attend separate meetings with her at the Department of Education today, according to the Irish Examiner, aimed at getting discussions back on track.
The ASTI withdrew from talks on Thursday saying plans for students to prepare for both calculated grades and written exams were "unacceptable", with the union adding they would resume discussions if they were given the guarantee that talks would focus on planning for exams.
In a statement issued by the ASTI, general secretary Kieran Christie 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," he said.
Mr Christie called on Ms Foley to re-establish the focus of the talks so a "meaningful Leaving Certificate experience" is given to this year's students.
'Shocked and disappointed'
The ASTI's decision was met with criticism as the Irish Second-Level Student's Union (ISSU) said they were "shocked and disappointed" that the teacher's union would walk away from talks.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the ISSU said: "This is a time when students need cooperation between all stakeholders.
"Students have been through a horrendous year and now may face an uphill battle in the months ahead - we need to show them compassion, we need to provide clarity, and the ISSU position remains that students deserve a choice."
Echoing the ISSU, the Department said it was "both taken aback and disappointed", adding: "At no stage of discussions [on Thursday] did the ASTI indicate its intention to take this action."
The Department said Ms Foley will continue to engage with all stakeholders to provide "fairness and certainty".
