The Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan says it is not too late to call off a planned teacher strike for tomorrow.

Both unions representing secondary school teachers are planning a strike tomorrow in protest at changes to the Junior Certificate.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said there is no point in putting students and parents at the centre of a disagreement.

Enda Kenny was speaking to the Irish Independent ahead of the action, which will see 350,000 students stay at home.

"There is no point in putting parents and students at centre of a disagreement," he said.

"There is nothing to be gained with strike action. It is unfair on students and parents especially those in the very exam years that these reforms refer to," he added.

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

Ms O'Sullivan says school closures could still be avoided if teachers agree to go back into negotiations today.

But she says it is up to the unions to make the first move.