The second day of industrial action by the ASTI members led to isolated disruptions in secondary schools across the country today as the withdrawal of supervision and substitution duties by teachers continued.
The ASTI spokeswoman, Ms Gemma Tuffy, reported disruption where school management have been unable to implement the Government’s contingency plans.
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Fears were voiced today that some teachers may be taking co-ordinated sick leave to hamper the contingency plan after non-exam classes at St Gerard's Secondary School in Castlebar were disrupted when six of 38 teachers took uncertified sick leave.
Ms Tuffy rejected any suggestion that the teachers concerned were not on legitimate sick leave.
"I have spoken to the teachers’ representative at St Gerard’s who confirmed that the only action being pursued was the withdrawal of supervision and substitution duties. ASTI is not aware of any other action taking place around the country other than that officially sanctioned."
In Co Mayo additional supervision from parents ensured classes at Ballyhaunis Community School ran smoothly following student disturbances yesterday.
Parents and school management met yesterday evening after pupils caused damage to school property when non-teaching staff took over supervision duties.
School principal Mr Jarlath Fahy said: "A minimum amount of damage was done but there was no threat to the safety of students. We called the parent meeting because if it continued the disturbances could have escalated into something more serious".
He said most of the 650 students were not involved in the disturbances, adding "class went as normal yesterday and continues to do so today".
While Mr Fahy would not say the students involved had planned the disturbances, he said: "To some extent it just happened".
Eight emergency supervisors began duties yesterday as the school’s 50 teachers withdrew from school supervision and substitution work over the ASTI pay dispute.
Meanwhile the Department of Education said contingency plans continued without any major problems today. However it has been reported that St Mark’s School in Donnybrook will be closed for the rest of the week.
The Department’s spokesman was unable to confirm the report or that at least two other schools in Dublin and one Roscommon school were unable to facilitate all their pupils today.
This evening the Teachers Union of Ireland and the Irish National Teachers Organisation called on the Minister for Education Mt Woods to intervene to resolve the dispute.