ASTI: We want talks on 'independent, objective, State certification'

The Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan says it is not too late to call off tomorrow's teachers strike, but that teachers must make the first move.

She says her door remains open to last-minute talks aimed at calling off the strike, but it is up to the unions to get the ball rolling.

However, both unions involved in tomorrow's strike say they will not enter new talks unless the Government makes further concessions.

Pat King of the ASTI says the Government must abandon the idea of asking teachers to grade their own students for a State exam.

Mr King said: "She said we could only discuss our concerns in the context of her proposal to have 40% school-based assessment.

"We certainly want to talk to the minister, but we want to talk to her about having an independent, objective, State certification for all of the students."