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ASTI gives members Leaving Cert green light

The ASTI teachers’ union has said its members will now go ahead with work on the emergency Leaving Cert process put in place this year.

This follows talks on its concerns about indemnity involving the union, its legal advisors and the Department of Education and Skills.

Costs

The Leaving Cert this year will be based on a system of calculated grades as State exams had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The union said on Thursday (21 May) that an indemnity offered to teachers to work on the process fell short of what was required. It was worried about the potential for teachers to have to bear legal costs if civil proceedings were taken against them.

Undertaking

But today (22 May) it said it had secured the necessary clear assurances and clarifications that would allow teachers to proceed “without fear of negative financial consequences”.

“Crucially, the Department of Education and Skills has given an undertaking that in all cases where the indemnity applies, the Chief State Solicitors Office will take over the running of the litigation,” the union said.