Seán O’Riordan, from Douglas, argues that efforts should be made to ensure that students do not miss further school days
“I don’t want to see further strikes. I think that the machinery of the State should be used to deal with these problems.”
![Teachers on the picket line at Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision]()
Teachers on the picket line at Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Mr O’Riordan said that parents feel caught in the middle of the conflict.
“There is no good time for a strike, but this is a particularly vulnerable time for students who are looking at CAO options and have pre-exams coming up.
“I wish both parties the best in resolving this and removing uncertainty for parents and students.”
Secondary schools reopened yesterday following agreement by the ASTI’s Standing Committee to enter talks with the Department of Education to explore possibilities to end current industrial relations disputes.
The move was welcomed by Cork student Jane Hayes Nally, president of the Irish Second-Level Students Union.
“We welcome the ASTI’s decision to suspend its industrial action,” said Ms Hayes Nally.
“Our concern, as always, was with the students and the impact these school closures were having on their education.
“We hope to see both parties come to a resolution as soon as possible to ensure that students will not lose any more days at school in future,” she said.
