The Government and teachers’ unions may be on a collision course over the introduction of major reforms to the Leaving Certificate later this year.
The changes, due to be introduced for all students entering the senior cycle this September, will see nine new or revised subjects incorporating research projects worth 40 per cent of overall marks, a radical shift from the traditional reliance on written end-of-year exams.
Secondary teachers’ unions will conduct ballots in the coming weeks on whether to accept the package proposed by the Government to ease the introduction of the reforms. These include pay increases, permanent contracts for new teachers and the creation of additional middle-management positions.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland has recommended acceptance, but the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has made no recommendation. Further votes on industrial action are expected should the proposals be rejected.
These reforms have long been sought by educationalists who believe the current Leaving Cert is too rigid, places excessive pressure on students and encourages rote learning rather than critical thinking. Some supporters of the changes will undoubtedly be frustrated that the concerns expressed by the unions might lead to delays.
There is merit, however, to some of the criticisms of the timing and manner in which the reforms are being introduced.
Particular concern centres on use by students of artificial intelligence (AI). Generative AI tools already produce work that achieves high grades at postgraduate level. AI detection tools are unreliable and a thriving market has sprung up for software that makes detection impossible.
It would be a tragic irony if reforms that are supposed to encourage individual development and independent thinking were to be undermined by a technology that bypasses exactly those human qualities. Minister for Education Helen McEntee should take teachers’ concern seriously and engage further with them on the issue.
