Almost 30,000 secondary school teachers who joined picket lines today across the country may strike for a third time, as the debate over whether or not teachers should mark the papers of their own students rumbles on.
According to the President of the Teachers Union of Ireland, teachers are concerned about the potential damage to their relationship with their students and also have concerns regarding marking consistency and the standardisation of grades.
However Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, described today’s strike as “disproportionate” and “unnecessary”.
“Reform of the Junior Cycle is important and is a policy priority,” the minister added. “One education partner cannot be allowed to block this important reform.”
Yesterday the Taoiseach called on teachers to reconsider the strike, saying the move would only impact the country’s 350,000 secondary school students.
Both sides are expected to engage in further talks next week in an effort to resolve the dispute.
