Unions oppose publication of reports

SECOND-LEVEL teachers have backed their primary counterparts in opposing the publication of school inspection reports, but stopped short of backing their plans to ban co-operation with Department of Education inspectors.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) decided on Wednesday that members should not co-operate with whole school evaluation (WSE), which is likely to lead to a hold on their 2.5% pay increase due on June 1 under Sustaining Progress.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin made clear her interpretation that this would be seen as industrial action and, therefore, as a breach of partnership. She said this would be very serious in the whole industrial relations process.