ASTI apologises for disruption to students and parents

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has said it regrets any inconvenience to parents as a result of its industrial action.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has said it regrets any inconvenience to parents as a result of its ongoing industrial action.

Some 17,000 teachers are refusing to carry out any work outside of teaching hours as part of their rejection of the Haddington Road agreement.

Half-day closures of secondary schools are now on the cards in order to facilitate parent-teacher meetings.

General Secretary of the ASTI Pat King said the union is "painfully aware" of the impact the dispute is having on parents and students.

"We have done everything possible to avoid disrupting the education of students, that's why the action we're taking is very limited, it's very low-key, it's hardly noticed in the public," Mr King said.

"But this will certainly impact on students and parents, and we're very sad to see this.

"This a result of Government action against teachers - we have to remember that," he added.