The group recognised by Government as the official voice of secondary school parents appeared to be in disarray last night following bitter clashes between some of its constituent bodies.
The National Parents Council Post-Primary (NPCPP) appeared to be criticised by three of the five bodies which are represented on the group for alleged inaction during the current dispute.
The NPCCP refused to support yesterday's rally by parent groups in Dublin and it has traditionally been slow to criticise the Department of Education or the teaching unions.
The prime movers behind yesterday's march, the Congress of Catholic Secondary School Parents Association (CSPA) criticised what it called the "lack of leadership" shown by the Parents' Council.
In defiance of the council, the march was supported by the National Parents Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges. Their president, Mr Michael O'Regan, said the whole structure and operation of the parents' council would have to be re-examined.
The march was also supported by COMPASS, the parents' group for minority religions. Ms Barbara Johnston, CPSA spokeswoman, said the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, must now review the role and mandate of the parents' council. "We need to define what the council is and who it is supposed to represent," she said.
Speaking at the march, Ms Margaret Garvey, a parent from St Nathy's, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, said she wanted the Government and teachers to talk. She said parents were sympathetic to some of the teachers' points, but there should be some exception for exam students during the dispute.
In Cork, about 70 secondary school pupils from city schools gathered at Daunts Square during lunchtime yesterday carrying placards supporting the secondary school teachers' protest.
The students said teachers carried out many functions for which they were not paid and the State had failed to recognise a just grievance.