O'Sullivan 'committed to reform of junior cycle'
Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan says she is determined that reform will happen at junior cycle level in Ireland's secondary schools.
However the minister said she is also keen to work with teachers on the issue, and will meet this week with two unions representing the sector.
The changes brought forward by her predecessor Ruairi Quinn caused outrage and led to unions withdrawing co-operation, although English teachers are expected to work on the new plan from this month.
Speaking this morning, Minister O'Sullivan said she is committed to bringing in change.
"I am absolutely determined to bring in the reforms that have been planned," she said.
"It's something I've believed in myself for a very long time - back when I was education spokesperson for the Labour Party I would have met with the National Council for Curriculum Assessment on these very issues.
"And that was back more than a decade.
"These reforms are absolutely necessary and they need to brought in - but they do need to be done in conjunction with the teachers as they are the people in the classrooms."
