Reform plans ‘risk marking free-for-all’

In the shadow of a big roadside sign promoting the upcoming Kinsale Community school show The Bodyguard, staff took it in turns to operate the picket line of groups of up to 10 teachers at a time, based on a pre-determined roster.

Like around 90 other schools around the country in the community school sector, its staff are a mix of members of both unions involved in the strike, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti) and Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI).

Although individual members were reluctant to speak to media about the issues behind the deepening dispute, principal Fergal McCarthy – a former Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) executive member – explained the rationale from the perspective of ordinary teachers.