The Education Minister has ruled out intervening to stop some Junior Cert students losing 10% of their English grade.

Thousands of pupils could be affected as part of the dispute between the government and the ASTI, over Junior Cert reforms.

ASTI members are refusing to co-operate with parts of the new regime, though it’s being discussed at the Workplace Relations Commission.

Richard Bruton has told the Dáil he wouldn’t intervene in how the Junior Cert is marked this year.

“In terms of the examination itself that has been set by the State Examination Commission – the basis on which marks are assigned is known and it’s not for me to interfere with that.”