Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Classes will be empty on Tuesday. Classroom via Shutterstock

Teachers aren't backing down - they're going to strike on Tuesday

The ASTI says they need more movement from Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan.

TEACHERS ARE GOING on strike on Tuesday – and they’re not going to back down.

Around 350,000 students will be affected as teachers strike in protest against changes to the Junior Certificate programme. Under the changes, teachers would be obliged to mark 40% of the work of their own students, something they say is not practical.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland this morning, the head of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) Philip Irwin called on Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan to move more on the issue.

He said that teachers would not be backing down on the issue and that it was “unfortunate” that the issue has come this far.

He said that the Junior Certificate marked a “mid-point in a student’s second-level career”, saying that the exams needed to be taken seriously.

He said that the changes were being made in an education system that was already reeling from budget cuts.

“It’s an education system that has suffered huge cutbacks over the last six years.”

Read: Jan O’Sullivan says she’s not budging an inch

Read: Minister to teachers: ‘Call off your strike’ … Teachers to minister: ‘No’

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
118 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds