Parents To Replace Striking Teachers?

Industrial action by secondary teachers could see parents being hired to prevent schools from closing.

The ASTI, which represents 18 thousand teachers, says it will hold 7-days of strike action on dates in October, November and December and will withdraw from supervision and substitution duties from the 7th of November. A Department of Education spokesperson says it's working to finalise contingency plans to cover these duties - however, the unions stance will inevitably result in the widespread closure of schools. The Irish Times is reporting that one option being considered is hiring parents and members of the public to become supervisors for a fee of €38 a day. But the ASTI President Ed Byrne has said despite giving notice of strike action - meaningful talks could still resolve the dispute.