An estimated 500 second-level students protested outside the Dáil today at the disruption of their Junior and Leaving Certificate courses.
The students, who came from all over the State, were seeking debate between ASTI and the Government to find a solution to the teachers' dispute.
Most students present blamed the Government for its handling of the strike.
Students from Oatlands College in Dublin handed in a letter of protestto the Dáil, accusing the Government of focusing on contingency plans rather than trying to resolve the dispute.
"The ASTI have had their pay claim in for the best part of 18 months, yet in all this time the Government have failed to resolve it," said Mr Finghín Kelly, a student from the college.
"I attended a march in September and felt the dispute would be resolved by Christmas, but here we are again," he added.
"The teachers are just following their unions - it's up to the Government to settle the issue."
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Pupils from St Peter's College in Co Wexford.
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"Both sides could have handled the situation better," said Mr Owen Clarkin, a student from St Peter's College in Co Wexford. He called on the Taoiseach to intervene and said he was aiming his protest at the Government to get them to "start the ball rolling".
He strongly criticised the Minister for Education, Dr Woods and said that he would be using his vote to oust Fianna Fáil and the PDs in the next election.
With calls for "Education Now!", "Debate" and "Less Stress" the students encouraged passing motorists to beep their horns in support and cheered loudly when they did.
The loudest cheer came when a soaked cyclist raised his arm in support - and in defiance of the weather.
