The new junior cycle student award cannot be implemented in second-level schools, according to almost nine out of 10 teachers.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s plans to abolish the Junior Certificate are in disarray after teachers voted strongly to end all co-operation with the reforms.

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

The public opinion war over Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s plan to abolish the Junior Certificate stepped up a gear as teachers took to school gates airing their fears for the impact on education standards.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn says the fact that one-in-five students are being marked in oral Irish exams for the Junior Certificate shows teachers are willing and able to assess their own students.

The pace at which reforms to replace the Junior Certificate are being adopted is a major factor in secondary teachers’ rejection of the Haddington Road Agreement on public service pay, TDs and senators were told.

The President of the ASTI says the union would "have to react" to any move to cut teachers pay without agreement.

Parents have urged teachers not to disrupt students’ education as they begin industrial action at 500 second-level schools today.

Open days for prospective parents are being moved forward and class trips face cancellation because of the looming teachers’ industrial action at 500 second-level schools.

The incoming president of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland said achieving investment for the education sector will be her top priority.

The Government must remove its contentious ban on appointing new public sector staff if it wants to stop damaging young teachers and the students depending on them.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn faces a “Shatter-esque” union walkout today, after one of the country’s strongest teachers unions insisted it will reject the new Croke Park deal.

SECONDARY school teachers angrily rejected the public sector pay deal, heralding a split within the trade union movement and the possibility of heightened industrial action in schools.