The Teachers’ Union of Ireland also said teachers are being deflected from teaching by ever-increasing administrative duties.

The significant reforms from the next academic year will see 40 per cent of marks in all subjects given for practical exams or end of year projects.

The union said its third-level members voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of industrial action, "up to and including strike action"

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland accused the Department of Higher Education of deliberately frustrating industrial relations