Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan has again urged teachers not to go ahead with their planned strike action next week, which she says will not serve any purpose.
More than 730 secondary schools are due to close next Thursday in the second day of strike action over plans to reform the junior cycle.
"It's obviously going to cause huge inconvenience to parents in particular, but also to staff and students as well and to schools."
"I hope it won't go ahead but the indications I got from my meetings with the teaching unions is that it will probably go ahead,” she said.
Minister O'Sullivan said she has asked Paraic Travers, who chaired Wednesday's meetings with unions, to remain in contact with both sides in case there is any way of avoiding the strike.
She made her comments at the official launch of Limerick's newest secondary school Thomond Community College.
