Dempsey stalls introduction of school courses

The introduction of new syllabi for Leaving Certificate home economics and biology courses has been delayed for two months by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey.

The move comes just days ahead of the new school year and was cautiously welcomed by the ASTI president, Mr P.J. Sheehy.

He said today’s decision was a compromise, as the Minister had been asked for a one-year moratorium at a meeting in July. He said the moratorium alleviated the tension, but insisted it failed to resolve the underlying problems.

The ASTI has a ban on voluntary supervision and substitution as well as its ban on new courses in home economics and biology. This action is part of a wider campaign by the ASTI in pursuit of a pay claim.

Mr Noel Dempsey said letters explaining the moratorium had been issued to schools. "I am allowing a moratorium of two months to provide a calm environment for teachers to consider the benchmarking report on teachers' pay", the Minister said.

In return, Mr Dempsey asked the ASTI to lift their ban on curriculum reform and attendance of their members at in-service training.

Mr Dempsey requested that teachers concentrate course areas that will remain on the new syllabi. He confirmed the revised syllabi would be examined in the Leaving Certificate of 2004.

Earlier today, Mr Dempsey insisted the ASTI’s pay claim must be dealt with in the context of Government pay policy. The Minister said he had no difficulty meeting the ASTI to discuss a range of issues.

Mr Sheehy said the Standing Committee of the ASTI would meet tomorrow and Friday to discuss several issues, including the pay issue. "Once we have taken a position hopefully we will be able to progress that although it could take some time because of the democratic structures [in the ASTI]."

Uncertainty remains over how long the interim supervision and substitution arrangements involving non-teaching supervisors will last.

Teachers groups will meet with the Government tomorrow for talks over the pensionability of the annual allowance for supervision and substitution.

• The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has prepared guidance for teachers on topics that can be taught during September and October. These suggestions are available on the NCCA website www.ncca.ie.