The threat of school closures appeared to increase last night after two leading school managers said contingency plans by the Department of Education to get parents and others to supervise pupils could prove unworkable.
Mr Michael Moriarty, general secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association, said the Department's plan to give schools money to recruit non-teachers might not work.
"We will endeavour to keep as many schools open as possible, but there is a serious threat that many may have to close", he said.
Mr George O'Callaghan, who represents managers in hundreds of secondary schools, said getting people to provide such a service could prove impossible in the currently tight labour market.
Both school managers are demanding an extensive period of training for parents and others who will be asked to step into the breach.
ASTI members are planning to stop providing a supervision and substitution service from March 4th.
Mr O'Callaghan, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body, said the JMB would work hard to make the contingency plans work, but sourcing suitable people would be seriously difficult.
The JMB has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister, Dr Woods, on the issue.
The two teacher unions, the ASTI and the TUI, are expected to meet in the next few days to discuss a way through the current impasse.
The TUI has rejected the €34-per-hour offer from the Department, but is not planning to withdraw from supervision and substitution.
It is to process its claim at a meeting with Department officials next week. The ASTI has still to decide whether to attend this meeting.
Meanwhile, a former president of the ASTI has said increasing numbers of ASTI members feel alienated from the union.
Mr Pierce Purcell said the low turnout in recent ballots and at union branch meetings underlined this.
"Ordinary members feel unable to have their voice heard. Does the ASTI executive really reflect the views of members?" he asked.
Mr Moriarty said the threatened ban on supervision would plunge the education sector into further crisis and have serious implications for students sitting State exams in June if alternative arrangements proved unworkable.
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