Secondary teachers will start withdrawing from exam work from Monday, but have deferred strike action which was due to resume on Thursday.
The deferment of strike action was decided on because the Labour Court still has not issued a recommendation on the teachers' 30 per cent pay claim.
Some members of the standing committee of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) were also worried about taking industrial action during the foot-and-mouth crisis. A spokeswoman said this was discussed at yesterday's meeting.
The oral and practical exams do not begin until March 26th, so the decision will have only a limited effect in the short term.
However, the Government is hoping the Labour Court recommendation will be sufficient to get the ASTI to lift its ban on exam work.
The union's general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, said he was concerned at the Labour Court delay. The Joint Managerial Body, which represents secondary school managers, said it was disappointed at the decision on exams. "We do not wish to see further pressure placed on students who are already facing a difficult time," it said.