Secondary school teachers are to hold a one day strike on December 2nd. Unions made the announcement in the row over junior certificate reforms.

Talks with the Department of Education ended this week after the two sides failed to reach agreement.

Teachers rejected new proposals that included a final exam in third year - accounting for 60% of junior cycle marks to be marked externally.

Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan said under the proposals, classroom teachers would only be responsible for 40% of the marks, with the State Exams Commission responsible for marking the rest.

This afternoon, the Minister spoke to Jonathan Healy about the teachers strike and the issues that surrounded it: "I'm certainly concerned that schools will be closed in December and again in January."

She also stated that she hoped that money wasn't a factor in the strike: