Pay, teacher workload, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students will be among the topics debated at this year’s annual convention of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI).<\/p>\n
Around 500 second-level teachers from across the country will gather in Wexford for the conference which runs from today until Thursday.<\/p>\n
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton will address delegates this evening.<\/p>\n
Artificial intelligence<\/p>\n
A number of motions will be debated on changes to the Leaving Cert, including a lack of clarity regarding the use of AI by students for completing project work known as Additional Assessment Components (AACs).<\/p>\n
A recent ASTI\/ REDC survey of 1,591 teachers found that an overwhelming majority expect difficulties verifying that the work has been completed solely by students.<\/p>\n
Pupils sitting the Leaving Cert in 2027 will complete an AAC worth at least 40% of their final grade in nine new and revised subjects as part of the new Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme.<\/p>\n
The nature of AACs varies across subjects, but can involve students writing and submitting a report based on a project or research they have undertaken.<\/p>\n
Teachers have also expressed concerns that students attending schools which do not have adequate facilities and resources for effective implementation of AACs may be disadvantaged.<\/p>\n
Delegates will demand significantly increased IT resourcing, including the provision of laptops for students to enable them to navigate the new Leaving Cert programme effectively.<\/p>\n
In addition, ASTI members will warn that there has been a lack of training provided to teachers implementing new and revised Leaving Cert subjects, as well as increases in teacher workload and assessment loads for students.<\/p>\n
Pay and conditions<\/p>\n
Amid soaring fuel prices, concerns around pay and the cost-of-living are expected to feature prominently at this year’s ASTI convention.<\/p>\n
Talks on a new public sector pay deal are due to begin in the coming weeks and a number of motions relating to wages will be debated by delegates.<\/p>\n
One of the resolutions states that the ASTI should escalate industrial action in September unless there is a 6% increase to all levels of pay scales.<\/p>\n
Another motion states that the ASTI should demand wage increases to match cost of living increases.<\/p>\n
On the issue of teacher workload and stress, one motion up for debate calls for the establishment of an independent and mandatory audit of stressors and psychosocial hazards in second-level schools.<\/p>\n