Teachers likely to vote to lift exam ban

Junior and Leaving Certificate exams look set to go ahead in early June following indications from within the ASTI convention…

Junior and Leaving Certificate exams look set to go ahead in early June following indications from within the ASTI convention in Galway that teachers will vote to lift a ban on examinations.

An ASTI spokesperson told ireland.comthat feedback suggested more teachers favoured lifting the ban than were for it.

Teachers were also today presented with a list of possible options for action if revised Labour Court recommendations are rejected.

It is expected members will vote against the recommendations in a ballot next week. A ballot on whether union members wish the ban on examination work to continue will be held at the same time, the results of which are expected around May 5th.

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The options for further action if the Labour Court recommendations are rejected include:

  • to pursue the claim through a renewed campaign of action.
  • to reintroduce the ban on examinations for the 2001 examinations.
  • to introduce a ban on examination work for the 2001 examinations.
  • to take all strike action from an early date in the new school year.
  • to take strike action for three days in two of the remaining weeks of May.
  • to take no action.

Meanwhile the President of the National Parents Council confirmed to ireland.comthat she felt intimidated by some of the treatment she received at the ASTI convention in Galway today.

Ms Maire Danaswamy said, however, she did leave the convention for these reasons, as reported in some media, but because she had to catch a plane to the UK.

Ms Danaswamy said she was collared in the corridors and treated rudely at a meeting to which she was invited last night.

"I guess you have to expect a bit of flak as the president of an organisation. There were times when the criticism was very positive but other times when, yes, I did feel intimidated."

The ASTI said that they regretted any feeling of intimidation Ms Dwanasamy may feel but stressed that as far as they were concerned all their guests were treated with proper courtesy.