A programme of industrial action for teachers in second-level schools has been announced by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI).

The ASTI explained the move is being made in response to the Government's breaching of the Croke Park Agreement and its decision to cut teacher pay under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act.

Parents in Ireland could face disruption from as early as next week as a consequence, as the action is to begin on Wednesday October 2nd and will see 17,000 members of the ASTI declining to attend meetings normally held outside of school hours, such as staff and parent teacher meetings, school planning and policy development meetings and in-service training for teachers.

In addition, ASTI members have also been instructed to not cooperate with any inservice organised for the new Junior Cycle Framework, nor to perform any tasks arising from vacated middle management posts - unless they are pensionably remunerated for the work.

Pat King, General Secretary of the ASTI, said: "The loss of classroom teachers from schools [and] the withdrawal of guidance services ... these are the actions that have disrupted and damaged the education of our young people in recent years."

Written by Donal Walsh

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