02/12/2014

Schools Close As Teachers Strike

A number of secondary schools have been forced to today due to a teachers' strike.

The action was taken in relation to a long-running dispute over planned changes to the Junior Cycle.

Up to 27,000 teachers are taking part in the strike action, which has been organised by the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI).

It is thought as many as 350,000 pupils had to take a day off school due to the action.

The dispute focuses on government plans to change the way pupil's school work is assessed during the initial years of their secondary education.

Two weeks ago, talks between the teacher unions and the Minister for Education and Skills failed to resolve the issues.

ASTI President Philip Irwin said: "Teachers care deeply about the education system that they work in and the students they teach. They are reluctantly taking strike action today in protest at what they see as a significant threat to education standards and education quality in Ireland.

"However, we are open to further engagement with the Minister on this issue in an effort to seek a solution. We still believe it is possible to improve Junior Cycle education while maintaining the integrity of the education system."

(JP/CD)

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