Parents may take to the streets over the coming weeks if ASTI’s rolling strike continues according to the National Parents' Council, who is itself embroiled internal strife.
The National Parents' Council - Post-Primary (NPCPP) is to hold an executive meeting next Saturday to consider parents requests and concerns over the Association of Secondary School Teacher’s (ASTI) strike action.
The meeting, to take place in St Patrick’s College in Drumcondra, Dublin, will address the concern of parents aired at recent regional meetings around the country. It will also to decide on what action it should take. The options include protest walks in various regions.
It is unlikely there will be a organised protest this week as pupils only returned to school, according to Ms Barbara Johnston, NPCPP director and spokeswoman for The Congress of Catholic Secondary School Parent Associations (CSPA).
Ms Johnston said there is a sense of disbelief among parents that the dispute is not over. "Parents thought this would be over a long-time before Christmas and cannot believe it still continues," she said.
Meanwhile, the NPCPP, which represents secondary school parents, will have to replace five directors following resignations in the last two months.
During a meeting of NPCPP directors on Saturday, Council president, Ms Rose Tully, its spokesman, Mr John Whyte, and secretary Sean Grehan tendered their resignation. Two other directors had already resigned.
Mr Grehan said a dispute over his candidacy as the Council’s representative on the Administrative Council of the European Parent’s Association (EPA), culminated in his resignation. However he said he will continue his Council administrative duties for the foreseeable future.
Despite the internal wrangling, Ms Johnston said there was no conflict over the ways the Council should address the teachers’ dispute. She said the CSPA, a member of the NPCPP, was pleased with the outcome of the Council’s afternoon meeting.
"Parents have finally found a joint voice," she said.
She said parents see their role in the dispute as supporting their children’s interest and welfare.
She criticised the position of both the Government and the union. "Both parties want their own way and are prepared to use children to get it."