Schools nationwide are likely to be forced to close after a decision by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to escalate public service industrial action by withdrawing labour.
Unions will individually announce details of their action.
Incoming Secretary General of the INTO Sheila Nunan said the increased action could include half-day of full-day closures on a regional or rolling basis.
Ms Nunan added: 'So far there has been no response from Government. This has increased not dissipated the anger felt by teachers.'
Chairperson of ICTU's Public Services Committees Peter McLoone told RTÉ Radio's News at One that teachers' unions have a mandate for a number of work stoppages.
The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) said it 'is prepared to escalate the action and to consider commencing a campaign of strike action'.
The TUI said it 'does not subscribe to the need for massive transformation in the education system in the direction being sought by Government'.
However, it said it would only strike as a last resort and again called on the Government to reverse the pay cuts.
Mr McLoone also said health unions have discussed a number of two-hour stoppages.
He said the purpose of escalating the action is to achieve a negotiated solution in order to reverse pay cuts, protect future pay and pensions and to avoid compulsory redundancies.
Mr McLoone said the action was not unreasonable given pay cuts that have been as high as 15% for some members.
The Government has said the cuts announced in December's Budget could not be reversed.
Mr McLoone said ICTU rejects the view that there is no alternative to the measures taken by Government.
He said there is a deepening anger that there appears to be no willingness on the part of Government to sit down and reach a solution.
Mr McLoone said the campaign of industrial action has been a success to date, and there will be huge support for this latest stepping up of the action.
The decision to escalate action was taken in a meeting of public sector workers today.
Yesterday the Frontline Alliance, which represents nurses, gardaí and other emergency personnel, said it would support whatever decision is taken on further action by ICTU.
As part of their campaign against pay cuts, the Garda Representative Association has said gardaí will refuse to use their own personal mobile phones, cameras, laptops and other equipment for work.
