Dempsey may cut pay over science row

THOUSANDS of second-level teachers could have pay increases cancelled because of their union’s order not to teach a new science course.

The Department of Education said last night it is considering the impact of the directive by the 17,000 member Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) in the context of social partnership commitments.

The ASTI standing committee has told science teacher members not to instruct the new Junior Certificate syllabus because school labs are not safe enough for students to do the required experiments.