The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland is expected to lift its ban on supervising and correcting exams as new Labour Court proposals emerge today.
However, some members of the union's central executive council, which meets in Dublin, are expected to suggest that the ASTI should continue to withhold co-operation from the Department of Education in other areas such as new courses.
The proposal, sponsored by two influential council members, is designed to maintain the pressure on the Department over the next few months even though exams may go ahead with teacher supervision.
The Labour Court package is understood to include a proposal for Leaving Cert students to be offered additional classes by teachers - who would be paid for these - to help make up days lost through strike action.
The ASTI general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, said last night he believed the new document was a serious advance on the original Labour Court recommendation. He hoped the union would put the proposals to a ballot so that members would make the ultimate decision.
While many teachers are weary of the strike action, most are still insisting on an upfront payment. The package does not include this, although the prospect of money for extra classes may prove attractive.
In all, most Leaving Cert students have lost 13 schooldays this year through strikes and days when ASTI members withdrew from voluntary supervision.
It is thought that teachers will be given the opportunity of making up the time lost between now and the start of the exams in early June.
At this stage there is no question of the Leaving Cert being delayed to accommodate extra tuition time.
The 180-member ASTI executive council meets in Dublin this afternoon to discuss the package. It is expected to vote in favour of a ballot of members.
The package is expected to contain the following measures:
A new fund to help teachers purchase personal computers and take computer courses;
Assurances that the bench marking body has the potential to significantly reward teachers;
Teachers to sit on secretariat of benchmarking body;
A new process for the three teacher unions to look at paying teachers for supervision and in-service training;
Extra classes for students who have lost time during strikes.
