The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, has sought to reach a compromise with the ASTI over the introduction of new syllabi into hundreds of second-level schools.
The ASTI has refused to accept the introduction of new syllabi in two Leaving Certificate subjects, home economics and biology, until its pay claim is addressed. Last night, Mr Dempsey said he would provide a two-month moratorium on their introduction as a gesture of goodwill.
The ASTI is currently considering the outcome of the benchmarking process and whether it will pursue industrial action arising from its recommendations.
Mr Dempsey said he had to consider a range of issues in reaching his decision, which included the timing of the new courses and the deliberations within the ASTI on benchmarking. He said, however, he wished that students in the two subjects should follow the most up-to-date programmes available.
The Minister said the moratorium would provide a calm environment in which the benchmarking proposals could be considered by teachers. He was also asking the ASTI to reciprocate by lifting its ban on curriculum reform and in-service participation as soon as possible.
As part of the decision, the new syllabi will now come into operation in early November. The Minister asked teachers to concentrate during September and October on aspects of the subjects common to the existing and revised syllabi. If this was done successfully, students would not be disadvantaged in any way by the moratorium.
Mr Dempsey emphasised, however, that the revised syllabi in the two subjects would be examined as part of the Leaving Certificate in 2004. The syllabi has become a controversial issue over the last few months. Educational publishers have questioned whether or not they should publish textbooks in the two subjects. They are concerned that if teachers boycott the new syllabi, they could lose thousands of pounds.
The ASTI debate on benchmarking has been taking place in recent weeks, but the union is split about what steps it should take next. Some members are unhappy with the report, but there is resistance to further industrial action, which could close schools.