The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, has backed a new modernisation programme for school laboratories in a move that could end the impasse over the new science course.
ASTI members are refusing to teach the new Junior Cert science course until science labs are upgraded.
But last night, the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) said it had secured a commitment from the Minister that all required work on labs would take place before next September.
The commitment, made after a meeting between the TUI and the Minister, will put pressure on the ASTI to compromise its position. The ASTI wants a full programme of modernisation.
On Saturday, the ASTI executive backed the ban on co-operation with the new course, even though Mr Dempsey has threatened legal action.
The Minister maintains that the ASTI action represents a breach of the national pay deal - the 21 per cent secured by the education sector was linked to co-operation with new courses and a modernisation agenda.
ASTI says its action is motivated solely by health and safety concerns for pupils, teachers and school communities.
The teachers' conciliation council will consider next week whether ASTI is in breach of the deal. Its finding will be binding on the union. If it finds against ASTI, the union will have to withdraw the directive ordering non co-operation with the new course.
