The acting Minister for Education says she is willing to engage with the ASTI to clarify any issues regarding Junior Cycle reform.

The union of Irish secondary school teachers is meeting today to discuss the framework for the new Junior Cycle.

Students who get 20% in their Junior Cycle exams will pass them, under planned new reforms.

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

The Education Minister has said she is “deeply disappointed” at the decision of the country's largest secondary teachers union to reject the latest junior cycle proposals.

Second-level teachers would have one less class a week to facilitate planning and meetings for the junior cycle system, under a new deal between unions and the Department of Education.

School principals and deputy school principals are discussing reform of the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert today.

The controversy over reform of the Junior Certificate is set to top the agenda at the Teachers Union of Ireland congress today.

Further strikes or mass demonstrations at the Department of Education could be staged in the next school year if the junior cycle row remains un-resolved, a union leader has warned.

New assessment methods for junior cert students are to be covered in training which Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan plans to take place next month despite an ongoing union ban on 27,000 teachers attending.

Community and comprehensive schools say they are frustrated with the slow progress on Junior Cycle reform.

The Teachers Union of Ireland has said teachers would not support the current compromise plan for the Junior Cycle if it was put to a ballot.

The Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn is inviting the secondary teachers unions to talks on the planned replacement to the Junior Cert.

Little effect is likely to be felt by students or schools as teachers begin industrial action today in protest at reforms that will see the abolition of the Junior Certificate.

Debating the proposed changes to the Junior Cert cycle have bitterly divided the educational establishment.

Ballots for industrial action by the country’s 27,000 second-level teachers over the new junior cycle are to take place next month.

Union leaders and teachers are still in talks and training about junior cycle reforms they plan to ballot on withdrawing from or even striking over.