More than 100 pupils from two Limerick city-centre schools protested yesterday at the ongoing ASTI dispute which has curtailed classes and is affecting exams.
The third- and sixth-year pupils from CBS Sexton Street and the adjoining Presentation Secondary School assembled on the street outside and urged passing cars to hoot in support.
"It is not fair on the students that the teachers are going on strike, looking for more money and not taking into consideration the students doing exams this year," one third-year pupil in Presentation School said.
"If they have a right to go on strike why should we not go on strike for our rights?" she said, adding that further protests were planned.
A Leaving Cert pupil from CBS Sexton Street said the protest continued until 3.15 p.m., although most pupils left at lunchtime. He said the action would continue every Friday during a week teachers held a work-to-rule protest.
"It is our education that is being messed up in the long run. We think the Government should give them the money they want because we are the future of the country."
Meanwhile, the 30 per cent pay claim sought by the ASTI was described as "an outrageous demand" and "disgraceful" by a number of the 600 parents who attended a meeting at Gorey Community School on Thursday night.
ASTI members were also accused of holding Leaving Cert students to ransom, using them as pawns, and of neglecting their position of trust. Parents also felt that teachers should have engaged in an all-out strike, rather than stagger their action.
The meeting ended with a resolution that a strong message be sent to the Department of Education and the ASTI urging them to go back to the negotiating table.