Reputation as a safe pair of hands in several Government Departments could be under threat. Each day of ASTI campaign gives further ammunition to the opposition.

The ASTI's action also paralyses much of the Department's work because teachers sit on many of the most important committees.

At 65, this is likely to be his final ministerial post, so his handling of the strike will colour overall assessments of his career.

If the teachers withdraw from the exam system, his options become very limited and he could be uncomfortably caught between the ASTI on one side and parents of exam students on the other.