Strike still on the cards as no movement in teachers' dispute

There is no sign of a breakthrought in the teachers dispute, with up to 27,000 secondary level teachers set to engage in strike action next Tuesday.

There is no sign of a breakthrough in the teachers dispute, with up to 27,000 secondary level teachers set to engage in strike action next Tuesday.

The disagreement follows Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan's proposed reform of the Junior Cert, including increased continuous assessment.

Gerry Quinn, President of the Teachers Union of Ireland, said unless the Minister removes the principle of school-based assessment from the negotiations, teachers are not for turning.

"That's the position, and we have very, very good reasons: deeply-rooted educational reasons, and reasons related to fairness, equity, and standards in education for that position," he said.