No Consultation with Students on Reopening Schools Plan

ISSU Statement: No Consultation with Students on Reopening Schools Plan

The Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU) believes that announcing a full reopening of schools, with a two-day notice, is rushing school leaders to put in adequate risk-mitigation measures to ensure a safe return for students. Additionally, the department's announcement has not responded adequately to the shortages of school and teaching staff, and student absenteeism.

The ISSU notes the high levels of disruption that schools and students have experienced in the last term, and that any return to in-person learning should be done on a phased approach, whilst prioritising exam year students and students with special educational needs. 

6th Year Student, Quinton Kelly, said;

“As a sixth-year student myself, I am extremely disappointed in the Department of Education's decision to have a full reopening of schools. 

With case numbers rising and school attendance depleting, I am not assured that each student will receive the same standard of education. If we see extreme absences this week while having in-person teaching, it leaves no room for online learning equivalents for absent students. 

With a substitution crisis in place, the cover needed for absent teachers simply does not exist. From my own experience, I am not confident that the new measures in place will make an effective change in time for a sudden full return to school” 

ISSU Uachtarán Emer Neville, after attending a briefing with the Department, said;

“Last nights’ briefing has left students in a position of major uncertainty, and schools will have little time to assess their absences and plan adequately for reopening schools safely. 

With the high levels of close contacts and COVID-19 infections currently affecting the country, many students will either be unable to return to school or will be welcomed back to school on Thursday by classes without a teacher or substitution. 

Disruptions will remain a major issue for teaching and learning, which leaves students, particularly those in exam years, at an acute disadvantage.” 

Furthermore, ISSU Education Officer Jack McGinn, who was also in attendance said ;

“The ISSU has always engaged with the Department of Education positively and were disappointed that students were not consulted, but briefed, on this issue. We note that it is rash to reopen schools as planned and the lack of consultation with all stakeholders on this proposal demonstrates a lack of concern for the voice and safety of students, teachers, caretakers, secretaries and other members of the school community.”

The ISSU further notes students were not consulted on this announcement. This demonstrates a disregard for how important the voice of students is in this discussion, as an equal stakeholder in education. This approach to finalising the return to school without consultation comes as a surprise, considering a very productive and close relationship between a wider pool of stakeholders with the Department of Education in recent months, in response to the challenges that the pandemic has brought about. 

The ISSU is continuing to call for an open and solution-oriented discussion with all education stakeholders on how to minimise disruption of teaching and learning. The union is calling for:

• A phased return to school, starting from Monday, January 10th, prioritising in-person tuition for exam year students and students with Special Education Needs (SEN).

• The urgent sourcing of HEPA filters for all classrooms.

• Additional adjustments to be made to the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle exam papers for 2022.

The ISSU is urging all stakeholders in school communities to adhere strictly to public health regulations in order to ensure the safety of schools for all students and staff.

The union has noted that whilst Public Health Representatives have said there is no rationale to not re-open schools, the Department of Education have disregarded the disruption that this rushed reopening will cause to students. With high teacher absenteeism and substitution shortages, schools are under-resourced. The current plan that has been proposed allows the possibility of specific class groups in each individual school to be sent home from school if deemed necessary. This causes significant disruption and uncertainty for students, with the possibility of many students not knowing if they are going to be in school the next day. This also raises concerns about whether individual classes could miss out on in-person learning compared to other classes and what position that will leave students completing state examinations.

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU), expresses major concern at the lack of consultation with students on the return to school. The representatives of students were not consulted at a meeting held on the reopening of schools on January 4th, as they believed they would be, instead, a briefing was held to inform the ISSU and other stakeholders of the decision that had already been made.

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For more information, please contact:

Joanna Siewierska ISSU Communications - 01 443 4461/083 1305583

CSPE - #JC2017 - Kurt Scott

Kurt Scott - Ratoath CollegeI think we were all thinking the same thing when we left our CSPE exam today, "Who the hell is the UN General Secretariat?"In all seriousness, the CSPE exam was pretty much exactly how I had expected it would be. Anyone who has practiced using the Junior Cert papers from the previous years should not have been majorly surprised with this exam.A bit of State, Explain, Example, and this exam should have been a good shot at an "A" for most of the students taking it.

#JC2017 #StateExams #ISSU17 

Junior Certificate Technology

Kate - Higher Level 

My final exam! I finished exactly two weeks after I started. I went into this exam knowing I would do poorly. We spent all of our class time doing projects and briefs and did little or no theory. My project and brief was of an A standard with only one or two minor flaws so I went into the exam feeling ok.I opened the short questions and initially could only answer about 10 of the 32. Eventually I got 27 done to a fair standard. I moved onto long questions. I did section B 1 (a) and 2(b). 1 (a) was a lovely question about a truck. I answered that fairly well. Question B 2(b) was very difficult so I just made the whole thing up. I tried to do it as best as I could but honestly it was all waffle. I loved the question on Technology and Society. It was all about bike rentals, modern consumer technology and green technologies. This was also a load of waffle but it was more educated waffle.Overall I think that was a bad end to a fairly good run of exams, but what can you do! I'm just happy the exams are done and dusted!

Luke - Higher Level 

Yesterday I had the day off, and there comes a time in the exam period where you don't care anymore and where the communal motto is; "it'll be grand". Hence, I didn't look at a book yesterday.Because my exam wasn't until two o'clock today, this morning I said I may as well have a look at some past exam papers, basically the ones I hadn't done yet. I've been studying all year for this one, because technology is actually one of my favourite subjects. It links up with science, another one of my favorites. It's practical, it's hands on, and it just makes sense to me.I got into the exam and saw the paper was pretty nice. I did 32 short questions out of 32, the minimum to be answered being 25 so this gives me a safety net.The first long question I did was the plane. You have to design a development of a plane (the net). The second question; I had planned to do the mechanics question beforehand because this is one of my strong points, but the electronics question was so easy so I decided to go for it. You didn't even really need a knowledge of technology to do this question, just a log tables!For question three I did technology in society which I didn't really get a choice in, it was the only topic my teacher had taught us, as he designated it the easiest. I also think that bike rentals came up because the recent introduction of bike rental schemes in Ireland!Overall I'm happy with the exam. More importantly though, the Junior Certificate is finally over! Roll on Transition Year!Please note: blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union. Blogs are updated daily by 6.30 pm on scheduled examination dates.Zeminar is an event for Generation Z, particularly those aged between 15 and 19, and their parents, teachers, mentors and coaches. It will take place from 11th - 13th of October 2016. For more information see www.zeminar.ie

Junior Certificate Music (Listening, Composing & General Study)

Isobel - Higher Level 

After having a few days off since my previous exam, I felt well rested and ready for my music exam. I was fairly happy with how my practical exam went, apart from a few slip-ups due to nerves. I played two songs on the piano and two songs on the ukulele.Overall I thought it was a good paper. Question 1 was set songs, in which me and my classmates nearly started laughing when our favourite funny song came up, "Click go the Shears". Hoe-Down from Rodeo came up in the set works question. I was hoping that Peer Gynt would come up, but I think I dealt with the questions fairly well. I was really happy when I saw we had to write about a collector of Irish Music in question 3, and I wrote about Edward Bunting. Next was good old dictation, (everyone's favourite... not!) I've never really been confident about it but I think it was slightly easier than the mocks, and I'm hoping that I've picked some marks up for the rhythm, bar lines and end note. Some familiar songs were played in question 5, including a Glee cover of Imagine, a U2 song, and Eye of The Tiger!I found the triads question and the answering phrase question fine, however I thought that the chord progression question was a little tricky. Question 10 went well for me, as you weren't asked to write about 3 specific features of the songs you've studied, instead they asked you to just write a general account of the songs and include information about the features.All in all, I'm happy with how it went, and I hope everyone has a great Summer. We did it!Please note: blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union. Blogs are updated daily by 6.30 pm on scheduled examination dates.Zeminar is an event for Generation Z, particularly those aged between 15 and 19, and their parents, teachers, mentors and coaches. It will take place from 11th - 13th of October 2016. For more information see www.zeminar.ie

Junior Certificate Metalwork (Materials & Technology)

Shane - Higher Level 

Ah, my last exam! I went in not worried because I love Metalwork and made sure my project and day practical were perfect so I could get as close as I could to that 75%.Today went great! It was a lovely paper and very manageable. I answered all parts of Q1 A and left out the second last part of Q1 B. Then I did Q2 which asked you to design a bus stop. I love Q2’s so I actually enjoyed this. Then I did Q3 and there was no surprise as a Blast Furnace came up. Then I did Q4 and discovered I still had an hour or so left.Out of the remaining 5, 6 and 7, I did Q6 because it was the best. I then went back and went over the paper several times just so I could hear “Time’s up” for the last time. So I am finished! The Junior Cert was as I expected and I feel I did really well in reflection! I wish everyone the best for their remaining exams and want to wish you the best for the summer and in 5th Year or TY! 

Joe - Higher Level 

It is the final count down to my very last exam. Today I was in high spirits as I enjoy metal work but more than that I won't have to do another state exam for three years.The pick and mix question, aka question 1 was formatted the same as most years with question on engines, circuits and about the design of the trike.Question 4, the furnace question, was a blast and bronze came up in the question too.The metal work exam unlike many others doesn't have great time restraints, which allowed me to spend way too much time drawing a bus shelter and then a bench for question 2.Then question 5 was interesting, half on drones the other on gears. I've always had an interest in drones so I enjoyed the first half but was a small bit lost when it came to gears and I just couldn't connect.I am so glad to be done and best of luck to anyone with exams left!Please note: blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union. Blogs are updated daily by 6.30 pm on scheduled examination dates.Zeminar is an event for Generation Z, particularly those aged between 15 and 19, and their parents, teachers, mentors and coaches. It will take place from 11th - 13th of October 2016. For more information see www.zeminar.ie

Junior Certificate Materials Technology (Wood)

Joe - Higher Level 

Woodwork is my favourite subject so I was confident going into this exam.I started with the shirt question and they took less than half an hour and I was happy with them.I moved onto question one then. You had to draw an elevation and end view of a laptop stand. As I do tech graph as well, this question suited me. For the final part of the question I suggested using a finger joint.I then did question five A on the lathe next. You had to list parts, list safety precautions, say how to bore a hole in a lamp and suggest a clear applied finish. It wasn't that difficult and went well.I left my favourite until last, the question two on design. I drew a box with wheels and handles. For the last part of the question and then sketched in chamfered for safety and a bunny done with marquetry for appearance. 

Chloe - Higher Level 

Okay so anybody that they could predict this exam was in for a shock today. Only for the fact that I got up early today to study more than what I had predicted I would have been in so much trouble in this exam. Woodwork is my least favourite subject and I absolutely hate the theory for the simple reason that I have absolutely no interest in it! Unfortunately I wasn’t gifted with an artistic streak either and so I have always avoided the Q1 and Q2 in this exam.So before going into the exam I was set on doing Q3, Q4 and Q5B. All of my study since Friday revolved around these questions and I had never crammed so much in all of my life for a subject, I should have won an award!I started with Q3 which was grand, not as straight forward as usual at all but doable. Next on my list was Q4. I swear if you asked me to identify a selection of any other type of hand tool I could have done it but I was kicking myself that I hadn’t looked at chisels. I hadn’t a notion and I just had to move onto Q5B and I would come back to it. Q5B was just not appealing me to me whatsoever and I chose to do Q5A instead which went well enough.So then it was time to choose a third question I was left with Q2 as my only other choice as I wouldn’t know where to start with a working drawing. I think it went well apart from the sketches which I made a huge effort with but I’m not joking when I say I can’t draw, so drawing something without tracing was really pushing the boat far out into the water for me!Before this exam I would have been a firm believer in that you should never try something in an exam that you haven’t done before, but after today I guess sometimes you have to do what you have to do to get the most marks as possible !I hope you guys had a better run at this than me but hey maybe not!This is my last exam blog and I’d just like to say thanks to all that have read the blogs and to all of you that have written them as well. I have enjoyed reading other opinions just as much as I have writing my own!Please note: blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union. Blogs are updated daily by 6.30 pm on scheduled examination dates.Zeminar is an event for Generation Z, particularly those aged between 15 and 19, and their parents, teachers, mentors and coaches. It will take place from 11th - 13th of October 2016. For more information see www.zeminar.ie