Hundreds of Leaving and Junior Certificate students walked out of class today in protest at the ongoing dispute between the Association of Secondary School Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) and the Government.
Students at the St Louis Secondary School in Monaghan town and the Presentation Secondary School in Wexford town refused to attend class this morning and began protesting outside their schools for the remainder of the day.
Approximately 150 pupils from the Presentation school in Wexford walked out of school this morning at nine o’clock in what was called a "very orderly" protest. They were still protesting this afternoon.
School principal, Ms Marian Heeney told ireland.comthe students wanted to "draw attention to the fact that they're the ones who are suffering".
She said they were very annoyed that the teachers’ dispute had gone on for so long and wanted to see it settled soon. However, she emphasised that the students were "not taking any sides" in the dispute.
Meanwhile three hundred students from the St Louis school in Monaghan town took similar action and refused to attend class until midday.
Mr Joe Sheridan, school principal, told ireland.comhe was uninformed of the intended action, but felt the students had "a voice to be heard too" in the ongoing dispute.
He said it was clear from the pupils’ chants that they were concerned at the prospect of graduates marking their examination papers.
Neither group of students are expected to continue protest action next week.
Mr Sean Tansey, spokesperson for the Department of Education said, however, that although the Department is concerned at today’s action, it would advise all students to utilise as much class time as possible to prepare for their certificate exams.
He told ireland.comthe Department did not condone students missing classes as the Minister had already confirmed that the exams would go ahead.
The ASTI was not available for comment today.