Update 10am: Parent's Council president Paul Mooney has warned that students are missing out because of the recent strike action by ASTI teachers.

A nationwide strike by secondary school teachers will see hundreds of schools close today.

Hundreds of secondary schools across the country are to remain shut indefinitely after crunch talks over a pay row collapsed without a deal.

Talks adjourned without agreement and ASTI have indicated that their directive on withdrawing from supervision and substitution duties from Monday still stands.

Update 1.20pm: Teachers have accused Education Minister Richard Bruton of provocation and embedding inequality as they strike over pay.

Secondary teachers say equal pay for equal work is a redline issue for them.

Secondary school teachers in the TUI have been directed not to undertake any work normally done by ASTI members who are involved in industrial action.

Education Minister Richard Bruton has described next month's planned strike action by teachers as unnecessary.

The likelihood of prolonged closures at hundreds of second-level schools is increased by the difficulty facing schools training anyone hired to supervise students during next month’s industrial action by teachers.

The union representing secondary school teachers has described talks with the Education Department so far as childish.

The president of the Teachers Union of Ireland is again warning of industrial unrest, after the commencement order for the Lansdowne Road Agreement was signed yesterday.

The Department of Education says some teachers attended training for a new junior cycle course despite union pickets on the venue.