Schools ordered to recruit ASTI replacements

The Government has ordered secondary schools throughout Ireland to recruit staff to cover for teachers who plan to withdraw from supervision and substitution duties in March.

Education Minister Michael Woods confirmed the move in a statement tonight.

The Association of Secondary Teachers (ASTI) is to withdraw from supervision and substitution duties on March 4 as part of their long-running campaign for a 30% pay rise.

Without replacements to cover those duties, 500 secondary schools could have to close.

In the past, the withdrawal of supervision and substitution duties has caused schools to be closed on health and safety grounds.

However, Minister Woods is adamant that contingency plans will be in place this time to ensure classes can continue.

In his statement tonight, the minister said he is confident that the management at Ireland’s 500 second-level schools would be able to recruit and train enough suitable applicants.

He said the funds for this arrangement are available, with the new recruits being offered the €34-per-hour which ASTI members rejected last year.