Wicklow Teachers Join Nationwide Protest Over Proposed Leaving Cert Changes

Along with 30,000 teachers nationwide, second level teachers in Wicklow protested outside their schools at lunchtime today to voice their opposition to the Leaving Certificate reform process.

The protest represents a joint effort by both the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI).

Teachers are voicing their opposition to the current leaving certificate reform process, in which unilateral changes are being rushed through without adequate consultation with teachers and other stakeholders.

Martin Shelly, chairperson of ASTI Bray Branch said “ASTI calls for an independent assessment of the rollout of Junior Cycle reform before the implementation of Leaving Certificate reform. So far, nothing of the sort has happened.”

Today’s protest was not a form of industrial action and did not disrupt the regular functioning of schools.

ASTI Bray Branch Secretary Conall Ó Dufaigh states “Our hope at this point is that the Department of Education will listen to reason and that no further protests will be necessary.”