November start for delayed junior cycle teacher training

Catch-up training on junior cycle reforms will not begin until Halloween for thousands of teachers who were prevented from taking part due to industrial action.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) last month suspended directives that had precluded its 18,000 members from co- operation with the reforms.

The Department of Education’s Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) professional development service is now planning the rollout of training for those who have fallen behind their non-ASTI counterparts.