Industrial action would be taken unless the burden of work on primary principals, who must teach as well as administer, was alleviated, yesterday's INTO conference was told.
Industrial action was on hold but only on hold, warned Senator Joe O'Toole, the association's general secretary. Primary teachers would strike unless action was taken to introduce more support and back-up services for teaching principals in all schools.
"We now believe that our only way to indicate our commitment is to take industrial action. We are at that point. We are on hold since last November."
He said the implementation of new initiatives, including the development of information technology and the implementation of the new curriculum, were dependent "on the professionalism, energy and goodwill of principal teachers".
"We are telling you loudly and clearly this morning that you cannot take this for granted any more."
He said the lack of progress in helping principals handle their increased workload had been disappointing. A vague commitment was not enough, he said, referring to a commitment from the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Martin, to respond quickly to recommendations from a review group on the role of principals.
The review group is addressing such concerns as principals' about one a month and Mr Martin has promised to respond quickly and positively.
"There is a lack of appreciation of the sheer impossibility of discharging the role and responsibility attaching to the job of being a teaching principal," said Senator O'Toole.
However, he praised Mr Martin for his response on primary school staffing in the past year.
"This has been the most successful year as far as school staffing is concerned that we have ever experienced. It has been superb. I want to acknowledge what Micheal Martin has done. We have made extraordinary advances in the staffing campaign. He has done what we have asked for."
Mr Noel Treacy, the Minister of State for Education and Science, told delegates the next school year would see the beginning of the phased introduction of the revised primary curriculum. A hard copy of the curriculum would be distributed to every teacher in the language of their preference and a CD-ROM version would also be distributed.
With reference to the Education Act 1998, Mr Treacy said for the first time in Irish education "a statutory framework for much of our system has been put in place".