ASTI top brass meet to discuss members' rejection of junior cert reform plan

The national executive of the largest secondary teachers union is meeting in special session this afternoon after members voted against junior cycle reforms.

The ASTI rejected the latest proposals by 55% to 45%.

This afternoon's meeting will discuss why members did not vote in favour.

General Secretary Pat King (pictured) said they would also discuss what to do next.

"The members have voted to reject the proposals as they are at the moment (and) to continue the industrial action we're engaged in," he said.

"It's a very limited form of industrial action that doesn’t affect students at all. It's teachers refusing to cooperate with training and meetings and so on. Our executive will discuss that and also consider what is it (our members) have problems with in the proposals."

Update 9.42: Former Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has said a minority of teachers should not be allowed to "veto" junior cycle reform.

Ruairi Quinn said his successor Jan O'Sullivan should push ahead with her plans, despite the result of yesterday's ASTI ballot which saw the proposals rejected by 55% to 45%. Only 38% of the ASTI's members took part in the vote.

Former Minister Ruairi Quinn said the low turnout showed "indifference".

"I can't see how a minority turn-out can have a veto on change in our education system," he said.