The Union of Secondary Students (USS) is to meet tomorrow to elect a new committee to represent second-level students during the coming year.

Established in the last academic year in response to the ASTI strikes, the organisation had its first meeting with Minister for Education Michael Woods last week, to seek USS representation on the board of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and to outline their achievements to date.

Lyndsey O'Connell, one of the founding members of the USS, says it was a "very productive" meeting. "We were made very welcome by the Minister. He said he would look at the issue of student representation on the NCCA. He was glad we had set up and he had been watching our achievements closely. "

Since its inaugural meeting last March the USS has developed links with the National Youth Council and met with the TUI and ASTI.

The union has also received support from the National Parents Council (Post Primary), and the Catholic Secondary School Parent Association.

The USS has more than 4,000 members. "Our association with the USI has been our strongest achievement to date," O'Connell says. "One of our main goals was to overcome the barriers and scepticism of the USS as a union. We're doing that by not waiting for anyone to show us the way, but going out and seeking meetings with the other partners in education."

The USS committee elections will be held in the SIPTU Offices in Liberty Hall, Dublin, at 5.30 p.m. tomorrow. All second-level students are invited to attend.