Education Minister: ‘Teachers not union chiefs must have a say’

Teachers should be allowed give their views on the final junior cycle reform plans instead of their union leaders vetoing them, Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan has said.

But it is unclear what power, if any, she has to compel 27,000 second-level teachers to resume training for the changes, or to sanction those who refuse to take part.

The plan, finalised last week by Pauric Travers after chairing more than 40 hours of talks between her officials and teachers’ leaders since November, was not accepted by the unions.