Donegal teacher takes over as new ASTI President

Rushed changes to the Leaving Cert from September will widen inequalities and damage education, according to Donegal teacher and President of a Teachers Union.  New ASTI President Padraig Curley who is a teacher at Loreto Community School in Milford, Co. Donegal, begins his term as ASTI President tomorrow (Friday August 1st)  He says Sweeping changes to the Leaving Cert are coming this September, despite major concerns about the use of AI in Leaving Cert Additional Assessment Components, the widening of inequalities amongst students, and a lack of adequate training for teachers are all major concerns.  Nine new and revised Leaving Cert subject specifications will be introduced in September each of which an Additional Assessment Components worth 40% of students' final grade in the Leaving Cert. Padraig Curley says Government-commissioned research into the impact of AI on the new AACs has yet to be published.