The Department of Education has told the ASTI that the new Junior Cert science course provides "no significant increase in health and safety risks". The secondary teachers' union has banned co-operation with the course on health and safety grounds.
But a confidential Department memo circulated to the ASTI executive signals that these fears are grossly exaggerated. It also says only a tiny minority of schools are not in a position to deliver the new course.
It states: "Student practical work is an integral part of the existing syllabus. In schools where such practical work has been implemented, there is no significant increase in health and safety risks.
"The equipment and chemicals in use under the revised syllabus are essentially the same as those under the existing programme."
The memo says: "No school environment is without risk, and there are already schools where students are involved in using cutlery, glassware, heat, saws, lathes, etc on a regular basis.
"In the Department's view, good classroom/laboratory management can provide that such risks are controlled and kept within acceptable levels."
Schools have until the end of this month to decide whether to opt for the old or new course. Both will be examined in 2006.
The Department says about €12 million is available in grants to upgrade laboratory facilities in schools. It says it has identified "only a very small minority of schools who do not have adequate laboratory provision to deliver the revised syllabus".
The robust language in the Department's memo is further evidence of its readiness to fight the ASTI ban. Last month it referred the dispute over the new course to an arbitrator, in a move that could jeopardise the forthcoming 10 per cent pay rise for teachers.
The Department says the ASTI ban on teaching the course is a breach of the national pay deal. But the ASTI says its action does not represent industrial action as its ban is motivated by health and safety fears for pupils and teachers.
It says the ambitious new science course with its heavy stress on practical work cannot be implemented in dilapidated school labs.
The union would like to see the recommendations of the Task Force on Science fully implemented. This would see first-class labs in all schools. But the task force chairman, Dr Danny O'Hare, has said this is unrealistic at this time. He has also signalled his unease with the ASTI ban.
If the arbitrator finds that the ASTI has breached the national pay deal, the union must withdraw its ban.