The Department of Education has said there are no plans to cancel planned in-service training courses for the new junior cycle reforms at second level despite the ban put in place by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) on members attending.
The union said it had informed the Department of Education and Skills its members – including principals, deputy principals and teachers of English – would not be attending in-service training for the new junior-cycle framework scheduled to take place from this week.
Ban on meetings
The ban on attending such courses formed part of the ASTI's campaign of industrial action which began several weeks ago after its members rejected the Haddington Road agreement on public service pay and productivity.
The courses for school leaders began yesterday.
It is understood the members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, which accepted the Haddington Road deal, are attending the courses.
A Department of Education and Skills spokeswoman said: “In-service [training] for the new junior-cycle framework for school leaders began as scheduled. There are no plans to cancel the in-service.”
As part of the industrial action campaign, members of the ASTI are also refusing to attend meetings.
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn last week said he would hold talks with the ASTI “on education matters” but could not discuss terms and conditions pertaining to the Haddington Road deal.
