Minister must pause Leaving Cert reform – not just pick favourites
Minister must pause Leaving Cert reform – not just pick favourites - The Labour Party
- Reform must be right, not rushed
Labour’s Eoghan Kenny TD has called on Minister Helen McEntee to pause the Leaving Cert reform process in full, following today’s announcement that changes to English and Accounting will be delayed.
Deputy Kenny said:
“Today’s announcement proves what Labour and others have been saying for months: this reform is being rushed, and it’s beginning to fall apart. The Minister cannot just cherry-pick subjects to pause when the whole system is under pressure. Reform is needed – but it has to be done right.
“Every teaching union is now either balloting members or preparing to do so. Teachers are speaking clearly. They are deeply worried that this plan is being pushed through without proper training, consultation, or resources.
“The Minister now needs to make a clear statement: where does she stand on union ballots? Is she prepared to take responsibility if the current timeline continues to collapse under scrutiny? Students, teachers and schools deserve clarity – not chaos.
“Labour supports modernising the Leaving Cert. We want progress. But progress needs planning. Reforms of this scale should take a long-term approach, not a political shortcut. If we rush this, it will fail. Poorly implemented reforms will benefit no one – not teachers, not students, not parents. That’s why Labour is calling for the Minister to listen to the sector, engage properly with teachers, and pause the entire rollout until schools are ready.”