The Leaving and Junior Cert exams are now virtually certain to be held with the co-operation of secondary teachers, after the ASTI agreed yesterday to ballot its 17,000 members on fresh Labour Court proposals.
In a hopeful sign, the union yesterday agreed that the ballot would be held after the teachers' conferences in two weeks' time, without any recommendation put to the members.
Last night the general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, hinted that the exam ban - suspended yesterday - would not be reimposed automatically if the proposals were rejected.
"It is not as clear-cut as that," he said. Mr Lennon supports the offer while a rival group, which includes former president Ms Bernadine O'Sullivan, is sceptical of its merits.
The outcome of the ballot is difficult to call. Yesterday's meeting of the Central Executive Committee voted narrowly by 96 to 70 against recommending rejection of the revised court offer. Mr Lennon said the fresh proposals were a "significant advance on the original proposals", which were rejected overwhelmingly by ASTI's leaders a fortnight ago.
He was especially pleased with reassurances on bench marking and the prospect of a £1,750 payment for teachers to give extra classes to pupils to make up lost time. Ms O'Sullivan has been the leading figure behind the ASTI strategy, which has seen students lose 13 school days and the Department make contingency plans for exams. Her scepticism is shared by others in the union who believe teachers should have got an upfront payment.
The Minister for Education, Dr Woods, said last night: "Taken together with the previous Labour Court proposals, the revised document forms a comprehensive and final examination of the issues at the root of the ASTI claim."
Education sources last night said his use of the word "final" means the Government will not negotiate further with the ASTI if it rejects the proposals.
In his recommendation, the chairman of the Labour Court made it clear that no further intervention by any third party would be possible. The revised recommendation provides:
Additional reassurances for teachers on benchmarking.
A new information technology fund from which teachers can draw an annual allowance of £350.
A process which will provide additional payments for supervision and substitution without any delay.
A new teaching forum to examine the changing role of the profession.
The ASTI has planned a detailed programme of information for members all next week. After criticism of its failure to put the original Labour Court offer to a ballot, yesterday's council meeting voted overwhelmingly to ballot members.
Even if the proposals are rejected, the ASTI seems very unlikely to revive industrial action targeting students. Hardliners favour a strategy in which members would refuse to co-operate with new Department programmes and initiatives.
The full text of the original Labour Court proposals and the new recommendations are available on The Irish Times website at www.ireland.com
