Q&A: Assessing the issue as teachers strike

As 27,000 teachers place pickets outside the country’s second-level schools, education correspondent Niall Murray sets out the controversial aspects – and the bigger picture – on junior cycle reform

Q: Why are teachers on strike today?

A: Primarily, because they are not happy that the Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan is requiring that they agree to teachers marking their own students for two pieces of coursework – one in second year and another in third year – such as projects, portfolios or performance, for the reformed Junior Certificate.