Teachers to begin action today over Junior Cycle plans

Little effect is likely to be felt by students or schools as teachers begin industrial action today in protest at reforms that will see the abolition of the Junior Certificate.

Around 27,000 second-level members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and Teachers’ Union of Ireland are under orders, after strong ballot results last month, not to take part in any training, planning, or teaching connected with Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s proposed new Junior Cycle School Award.

With most teachers of English and school leaders (principals or teachers overseeing the changes in their schools) having already undertaken the first stage of training for the new programme, and none scheduled before the summer holidays, schools expect the industrial action will have limited impact during the rest of this school year.