ASTI action to be felt as classes cancelled

The effects of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland industrial action will be felt by parents this week as meetings with staff at some schools force the cancellation of classes.

In addition, ASTI members are under union instructions not to attend the series of training sessions for the start-up next year of the revised junior cycle programme, which begin today for school principals.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn indicated on Friday he or his officials could talk to the 17,000-member union about education issues concerning them, but not about the Haddington Rd Agreement (HRA) which they voted to reject.