Teachers to hold school gate protests over planned Junior Cert reforms

Secondary school teachers are to hold lunchtime protests at school gates

to highlight concerns at the introduction of a new programme for Junior cycle education.

The protests are to take place on March 11th, and will involve members of both post-primary teachers’ unions at 750 schools.

The Association of Secondary Teachers’ Ireland (ASTI) said the demonstrations were not industrial action because no school activities would be disrupted.

ASTI and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland are due to ballot members for industrial action next month, and the outcomes will be known by March 26th.

A spokeswoman for both unions said teachers have “grave concerns” over the proposed changes to the Junior cycle, and that the proposals posed “serious threats” to educational standards.

"It is anticipated that the protest will take the form of a short rally outside school premises. Regular school business will not be disrupted by the actions, and normal supervision arrangements will continue during the event. "

Latest meeting
Talks between the unions and the Department of Education are ongoing, with the latest meeting taking place yesterday.

Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn said he was disappointed by the decision to hold protests and called the action “premature”.

He called on both unions to move towards engagement in resolving issues “for the good of the students” .

Department of Education officials are consulting with education partners through a working group set up by the Minister to address concerns around Junior cycle reform. The partners include parents, school management and teacher unions .