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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Junior cycle reform

Summary

Senator Jim D’Arcy welcomes reform of the junior cycle but notes teachers’ concerns and requests a ministerial debate; colleagues briefly interject on the proposed student award and drones.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, today announced the new name for the reformed junior certificate will be the junior cycle student award, JCSA. I agree with the Minister that most parents and teachers are supportive of the need to overhaul the junior cycle for the good of students, but teachers have legitimate concerns. One cannot fly an aeroplane without a pilot.

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

One can with drones and there are plenty of them in government.

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That would be a bit of an omelette all right.

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

A flying omelette.

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Drones are seriously destructive.

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I look forward to the first meeting of the working body on junior cycle reform.

The working body comprises the ASTI and the TUI, management bodies, students and parents. I am sure that it can deal with any concerns and that we will have a great new junior cycle curriculum. Before the Christmas break the Leader said that he would invite the Minister for Education and Skills and he may have stated a date for the debate. Such a debate would enable us to receive an update on the important reform of the junior cycle programme.

I wish to comment on Senator Paschal Mooney's reference to €50 million. Roughly the same amount was spent on e-voting machines that are now stored in a shed in Trim.

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Senator can make his point during the debate.

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