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Senior Cycle Redevelopment

 



 

 

ASTI members reject Senior Cycle implementation proposals

In May, ASTI members voted to reject the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures by 68% to 32%. (Turnout: 73%)

In a separate ballot, ASTI members voted by 67% to 33% in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, in the event that the ASTI rejected the provisions set out in the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures. (Turnout: 70%)

Standing Committee has met on two occasions to consider the implications of the outcome of the ballots and to devise a way forward in that context.
Standing Committee decided, in the first instance, to seek resolution of the issues of concern to teachers by invoking the dispute resolution mechanisms set out in Chapter 5 of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.

The ASTI’s strong mandate to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, remains in place and available for use, if the conciliation and arbitration process available within the Public Service Agreement fails to produce a satisfactory outcome.

The Agreement provides that where disputes arise, they will be subject to a six-week period of initial bilateral engagement at local level between parties to the dispute.

It further provides that, with a view to ensuring swift resolution of disagreements on matters covered by the Agreement, it is agreed, where the parties involved cannot reach agreement within 6 weeks, to refer disputes by either side to agreed machinery. In teachers’ case, the Teachers' Conciliation or Arbitration Scheme applies. The issues will be referred within 6 weeks to the Conciliation machinery under the Scheme and, if unresolved, to the Arbitration Board.

Local Bargaining - Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026

In addition, engagement with the Department of Education and Youth is expected in the coming weeks to seek to secure a deal in the local bargaining process within the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026. The position of the Department of Education and Youth set out in the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures was rejected by ASTI (albeit it was accepted by TUI).

An opportunity remains to attempt to negotiate a different approach.

Members are aware that a local bargaining clause is included in the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026. Employers and trade unions may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment up to a maximum of 3% of the basic pay cost, inclusive of allowances in the nature of pay, of the particular grade, group or category of employee or bargaining unit. This may include proposals involving changes in structures, work practices or other conditions of service. Implementation of adjustments will be on a phased basis. While 1% is payable on 1st September 2025, the remaining balance of 2% will be due to be implemented during the term of the next successor agreement. The ASTI and TUI are designated as the Bargaining Unit for post-primary teachers.

Pay Increases

The Department of Education and Youth has confirmed that the outstanding payments due under the Public Service Agreement 2024 to 2026 (PSA) are subject to compliance with the Agreement, including commitments relating to co-operating with Senior Cycle Redevelopment. In the event that cooperation ceases at any stage, the Department of Education and Youth will refer this to the normal dispute resolution mechanisms under the PSA for appropriate consideration.

The next scheduled pay increase is for 1% on 1st August 2025. As ASTI remains party to the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026, members will be in receipt of this payment as normal.

Timeline for campaign

In June 2025 ASTI members voted to reject the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures by 68% to 32% (ballot turnout: 73%). In a separate ballot, ASTI members voted by 67% to 33% in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, in opposition to the accelerated implementation of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme (ballot turnout: 70%).

On May 10th the ASTI Central Executive Council voted to put Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures to a ballot of ASTI members without a recommendation.

On May 8th, the Department of Education published the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures.

On April 8th 2025, the Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee announced that she was unwilling to postpone the implementation of the accelerated Senior Cycle Redevelopment. The Minister invited the ASTI and the TUI to intensive talks.

On April 15th 2025 the ASTI published a survey undertaken by RedC which found that 50% of school leaders believe their schools do not have an adequate number of labs for the revised Leaving Cert Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications.

On 19th November 2024, more than 30,000 ASTI and TUI members engaged in a lunch-time protest calling for a delay in the implementation of Senior Cycle redevelopment so that serious issues can be addressed, in particular, resource delivery, teacher CPD and adequate time for NCCA Subject Development Groups to develop appropriate additional component assessment models and markings.

In April 2024, ASTI Annual Convention adopted a number of motions in relation to redevelopment of Senior Cycle curriculum.

In September 2023, the then Minister announced that all additional assessment components (AAC) worth 40% would continue be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission revising her earlier proposal for school-based assessment with external SEC moderation.

In March 2023, ASTI hosted an education conference on Senior Cycle curriculum change.

In February 2023, following a joint ASTI and TUI campaign of opposition to the plan to move Leaving Certificate Paper One in English and Irish to the end of fifth year from 2024, the then Minister announced the deferral of this proposal.

In October 2022, the ASTI Central Executive Council was addressed by Áine Hyland, Irish educationalist and Emeritus Professor of Education, UCC

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