The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland has pulled out of talks on this year’s Leaving Cert.

In a statement, the union said the current plans are “unacceptable” and accused the Government of asking students to prepare for “two versions of a Leaving Cert, with Calculated Grades being the dominant option.”

It said it was withdrawing pending a guarantee that the talks will focus on “planning for examinations and scoping out a corresponding measure.”

ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said: “We entered a process in good faith to explore the position whereby if the Leaving Certificate or elements of it do not go ahead, a fair and credible choice or option would be available to students.”

“It is clear to us that the approach being developed would not provide the meaningful Leaving Certificate experience this cohort of students deserve,” he said.

“The process is being developed in a manner that would see the Leaving Certificate relegated to a secondary position with Calculated Grades the premier option.

“The lack of data this year would make the delivery of a credible Calculated Grades process extremely challenging.

“Given the widely accepted additional stress that students are currently experiencing, it is extraordinary that the only option being explored is that they would effectively prepare for two versions of a Leaving Certificate rather than one.

“We are calling for the Minister to re-establish the focus of the talks so that a meaningful Leaving Certificate experience is provided to this cohort of students, which they rightly deserve.”

Talks between trade unions, schools and the Department of Education have been ongoing since the weekend.

Speaking ahead of the talks, the Education Minister Norma Foley said she aimed to offer students the options of examinations and a "corresponding measure."