O'Sullivan: I need to see movement from teachers over Junior Cert reforms

The Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan is hopeful that a planned strike by secondary school teachers next month will not go ahead.

However, she says that teaching unions must be prepared to move in negotiations on Junior Certificate reform.

The ASTI's general secretary Pat King, meanwhile, says they would be prepared to call the industrial action off if their concerns are addressed.

Yesterday, the ASTI and TUI announced that a second day of strike action would take place on January 22.

It is set to affect nearly 350,000 students across the 730 post-primary schools around the country.

Ms O'Sullivan has already announced a significant roll back on the planned reform, which would see teachers only have to assess 40% of a student's work.

However, this proposal was rejected by teachers. They held a strike on December 2 in the row over the marking of exams.

Fresh talks are to be facilitated by Dr Pauric Travers, the independent chair of the previous round of discussions.

Minister O'Sullivan says she is hopeful that the strike will not go ahead.