Teachers say they are unprepared for the new Junior Cert syllabus - which will be phased in for first year students from next September.

The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn says the new syllabus will focus on project work and practical learning rather than a State exam.

Only Maths, Irish and English will maintain their status as core subjects, while a number of short courses such as computer coding, mandarin and animal care will be introduced. Students will be given the opportunity to have extra-curricular activities count towards their final grade.

But the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland says the training and resources on offer are not sufficient - and it's raised concerns that under the new regime, the first formal State exam students will face will be the Leaving Cert.

General Secretary Pat King told Newstalk's Breakfast says the new system changes the role of teachers significantly:

Meanwhile, nearly 60 qualified teachers have been hired by schools under the government's JobBridge scheme.

It means they're working for €50 a week on top of their social welfare payments.

According to the Irish Independent, 58 teachers have been recruited this way, with at least 32 of those in primary schools.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation has urged its members not to engage with the government scheme, amid suggestions they're being exploited.