Hundreds of teachers in county Longford stage lunchtime protest
Senior Cycle redevelopmentm plans pose a threat to education standards, fairness and quality
Hundreds of teachers in county Longford held a lunchtime protest outside their schools on Tuesday and sought a delay in implementing the Senior Cycle redevelopment.
The protest, which took place nationwide, was organised by second-level teacher unions the ASTI and the TUI.
The protest followed a decision to ‘accelerate’ Senior Cycle redevelopment plans.
Teachers such as Padraic McWeeney of St Mel’s College said they are very concerned that aspects of the plans pose a threat to education standards, fairness and quality.
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"I think it will increase the stress on students because with this new set-up they will have a project to do for every subject," he added.
Mr McWeeney said they also have concerns about current system capacity to accommodate such major change as they currently have two laptop trolleys and two rooms with computers.
"Students from more affluent backgrounds will also have an advantage as they will have more access to laptops and resources and it will increase inequality."