The ASTI has advised members to engage with the calculated grades system for the Leaving Cert this year. The union’s resolved a dispute with the Department of Education over legal protection for teachers.
The calculated grades system for this year’s Leaving Cert has been in doubt since last night, when the ASTI said it wouldn’t engage with the model.
They had concerns the state indemnity being offered didn’t go far enough – and wanted a guarantee that if a student took a claim, 100% of the legal costs would be covered.
A meeting has been taking place between union and department officials this afternoon – and the ASTI now says it’s secured the necessary clarifications. It’s been assured that if a student unhappy with their grade sues, no teacher will have to employ their own legal team to defend themselves and run the risk of racking up large expenses.
The ASTI says it’s now in a position to advise members to engage with the calculated grades system for this year’s Leaving Cert.
In a statement, the ASTI said: “Crucially, the Department of Education and Skills has given an undertaking that in all cases where the indemnity applies, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office will take over the running of the litigation.
“This strengthening of the indemnity will ensure that a teacher will not have to employ her/ his own legal team to defend herself/ himself and run the risk of incurring large irrecoverable costs and expenses.
“The ASTI is now in a position to advise its members to engage with the Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate 2020 model.”
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), the other major secondary school teachers union in the country, had not raised the same objections to yesterday’s indemnity announcement.
They instead welcomed the legal protections being offered by the Department of Education.
ASTI secures full indemnity, advises members to engage with the Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate 2020 modelhttps://t.co/KfqRo4rtLI
— ASTI (@astiunion) May 22, 2020
