The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has called for a speedy resolution of an industrial dispute in the Department of Education in Athlone which has forced the postponement of assessment of taskwork from 3,600 Applied Leaving Certificate students.
The Department said that because of industrial action by the Public Service Executive Union it had not been possible to complete the required preparatory work to enable the assessments, which were due to take place next week, to go ahead.
ASTI assistant general secretary, Mr John White, said the Government must show the firmest commitment to this important new curricular programme, in place in over 130 schools, by allocating the necessary staff and taking what ever steps are necessary to avoid disruptions to assessment.