Teachers at eight schools will stage one-day strikes over the next three days as part of the INTO's escalating campaign to protest at the alleged under-funding and under-staffing of primary schools.
Five schools in the Dungarvan area of Co Waterford, which have been trying to get a joint remedial teacher for many years, will begin the action today. The schools, with more than 430 pupils between them, are Garranbane National School, Cul na Smear NS, Kilbrien NS, SN Baile Mhic Airt and Scoil Garbhain.
Tomorrow, teachers at schools in Waterford and Cavan will come out in protest at the rule which says that although they both have 125 pupils this year - and therefore are entitled to an extra teacher - they must wait until next September before being able to appoint that teacher.
Scoil Naomh Mhuire in Ferrybank, Waterford, currently has four mixed-year classes ranging from 25 to 41 pupils. Scoil Naomh Brid in Redhills, Co Cavan, has four mixed-year classes of 29 to 32 pupils.
On Thursday, teachers at CBS Dundalk will take action over an extra teacher. With 265 pupils in eight classes - ranging from 27 to 41 pupils - they are also entitled to an extra teacher, but will have to wait a year before being allowed to make an appointment.
The INTO general secretary, Senator Joe O'Toole, said yesterday: "These schools need improvements in their staffing situations now. It does not help them to know that the Minister for Education appointed 60 extra remedial teachers this year or that the rule which forces them to wait a year before appointing an additional teacher has been in operation for many years."