Delegates at the Teachers' Union of Ireland annual congress have voted unanimously in favour of a motion that threatens possible industrial action, if talks on Leaving Certificate reform fail to deliver an acceptable outcome.
The resolution states that if negotiations with the Department of Education fail, the TUI "will utilise all mechanisms available to the union, up to and including a ballot for industrial action, to defend professional standards and protect student outcomes".
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland passed a similar motion at its conference yesterday.
The resolutions state that any outcome to the talks should be put to a ballot of trade union members.
Talks on Senior Cycle reform took place between the unions and the department last week and are due to resume after the Easter break.
The redevelopment of the Senior Cycle is aimed at introducing a far greater level of non-exam-based assessments.
However, teachers said the changes are being introduced too quickly, without proper resources and without adequate safeguards around artificial intelligence.
Minister for Education Helen McEntee is addressing the TUI conference in Co Wexford, and as she arrived she told reporters that a lot of work has already been done preparing for Senior Cycle reform in terms of investment and training.
Watch: Minister McEntee says 'changes are coming about' in relation to the Leaving Certificate
The minister added that she is engaging with unions to see what more she can do to support teachers, adding "we all want these changes".
"We all know that they're coming in for the reasons that I've outlined to benefit young people and my focus now, in the next few weeks, is to make sure that whatever further support I can provide, I'll do that," she said.
Ms McEntee said she expects discussions on the matter "will be concluded by early May".
"So really, in a matter of weeks," she added.
She told delegates that she is planning to launch a year-long national conversation on education, adding it has been 30 years since such a discussion has been held.
This conversation, she said, would involve significant engagement with teachers, students, parents and the wider community.
As Ms McEntee entered the conference room, delegates held placards with pro-Palestinian messages and statements relating to Senior Cycle reform.
Ms McEntee referenced Gaza during her address, saying that children in the territory were living in "absolute hell".
She also called for access to be given to humanitarian aid, which was greeted by applause.
Some people in the crowd shouted "take action" and "enact the Occupied Territories Bill".
The decision not to delay the accelerated introduction of Senior Cycle redevelopment is deeply disappointing and a serious mistake, TUI President David Waters said.
Responding to the minister's address, he said teachers are "already struggling due to the lack of critical information, inadequate resources, and poor quality training".
"Reckless haste will only make matters worse," he said.
Mr Waters said: "We do welcome the intensive talks you convened based on the written submission made by the TUI and we will continue to engage in those talks later next week.
"However, to date these have yielded very little."
He said there are "myriad of issues facing Senior Cycle", adding that "unless we see tangible results from these negotiations, the full weight of the union will be called into action, including possible strike action, to ensure teachers, students, and schools, are not left behind".
