Circular Letters will impede some schools’ capacity to deliver Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has issued a stark warning that recently published Department of Education Circular Letters 0037/2026 and 0038/2026 will significantly undermine schools’ ability to implement the Senior Cycle Reform (SCR) programme.
The Circulars will exclude ASTI members from key Posts of Responsibility linked to Senior Cycle Redevelopment, creating serious operational gaps in many schools.
The issuance of these Circulars is an escalatory and deeply counterproductive move that risks damaging school communities, disrupting Senior Cycle Redevelopment efforts, and ultimately harming students.
ASTI maintains that the Circulars are in clear breach of the Public Service Agreement 2024 - 2026. The Agreement explicitly provides that previous arrangements, including those relating to promotional posts, remain in force unless they had been varied under the current agreement.
At a time when ASTI and the Department of Education and Youth are engaged in formal dispute resolution mechanisms under that Agreement, the unilateral issuance of these Circulars demonstrates a disregard for good faith engagement and established industrial relations processes.
Serious operational risks for schools
This exclusion will, in many schools where all teachers are ASTI members:
- Leave them without a designated person to liaise with the State Examinations Commission on assessment arrangements, breaches of coursework regulations, and appeals processes,
- Undermine coordination of assessment timelines, including alignment between Senior Cycle and Junior Cycle requirements,
- Disrupt communication with students, parents, and school communities regarding reform implementation, and
- Prevent the establishment of a coherent, whole-school approach to assessment planning.
ASTI warns that in many schools, this work may simply not be done.
Threat to school cohesion and student outcomes
“This will create huge problems for management, especially in dual union schools and will damage staff cohesion. It will also leave certain schools without essential supports.” said ASTI President, Padraig Curley.
The union further stressed that students, particularly vulnerable learners, stand to lose the most.
“Students must not suffer adverse consequences as a result of an industrial relations dispute, this is irresponsible. The supports envisaged under Senior Cycle Redevelopment are critical, and denying access to ASTI members will directly undermine their delivery.” said ASTI General Secretary, Kieran Christie
“We are engaging in dispute resolution processes in good faith. These Circulars represent an unnecessary escalation. We are calling for immediate discussions to agree a meaningful and workable solution” said ASTI President Padraig Curley.
The union has formally requested an urgent meeting with the Department of Education and Youth.
ENDS
https://www.asti.ie/document-library/circular-00372026-senior-cycle-redevelopment-scr-implementation/
https://www.asti.ie/document-library/circular-00382026-senior-cycle-redevelopment-scr-implementation/
