Lunchtime protest outside the schools gates

Teachers in Mullingar joined around 27,000 others across Ireland at lunchtime today, Thursday, protesting against certain changes in the Junior Cycle reform.

"We're against the dumbing down of subjects by having the assessment changed from an independent method to self-assessment," said one teacher outside Mullingar Community College.

Meanwhile, Minister Jan O'Sullivan has said that it is still her intention to move ahead with plans to introduce a reform of the English syllabus in September - even though most teachers have not yet availed of the training on offer.

“All I can do is to urge the teachers to really engage with this, because everybody is losing out, as long as they maintain a complete veto and don’t move at all on this,” she said.

It's the latest action taken by ASTI and TUI members who are opposed to the proposed Junior Cycle changes.

They have already held two strike days in the last number of months.

‘Second level teachers remain resolute in their opposition to serious aspects of the proposed Junior Cycle changes", says TUI spokesperson Conor Griffin.

"It is important to note that this protest will not impact on regular school business at such a crucial time for students. 

"Teachers are in favour of positive reform that guarantees and protects standards, equity, quality and fairness in Junior Cycle education. We again urge the Minister for Education and Skills to engage meaningfully with us on these issues," he finished.