Teachers hit back at Dempsey

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has responded with anger to a proposed inspection blitz by Education Minister Noel Dempsey aimed at ensuring schools do not close early for Christmas.

The association has described it as a slur on the teaching profession.

The ASTI also said teachers were being singled out by the Government at a time when benchmarking pay increases for other public service have already been approved.

Spokesman Pat Cahill said: “It’s very mean-spirited on behalf of the Minister and the Department of Education to be doing this in the run-up to Christmas.”