Everything must be done to avert strikes

A winter of discontent is looming over the country’s secondary schools as teachers and Government continue on a head-on collision course that could prove disastrous for thousands of pupils.

With the education system facing one of the most challenging periods in its history, and the economy deeply mired in trouble, it is clear that a prolonged strike would put the future of Ireland’s young people at even greater risk than it now is.

Hopefully, with critical Junior and Leaving Cert as well as third-level exams looming, there will be no disruption of the system through industrial action before schools and institutes of technology break up for the summer holidays.