A teacher who has threatened to go on hunger strike over part of the proposed reform of the Junior Certificate says she has received huge support.

Marian Wallace, an English teacher from Douglas in Co Cork, received two standing ovations when she made the claims during a speech at the ASTI conference in Killarney yesterday.

She said teachers are at war over proposals, which would see them correct their own students work.

An independent chairman drew up proposals to try and resolve the dispute earlier this year, but these were rejected by some teachers.

The Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan said yesterday she will not "completely capitulate" on the plans for reform.

Ms O'Sullivan said she will push ahead with the reforms, despite teachers refusal to grade their own students.

It comes as secondary school teachers prepare for more action over the plans, with a lunchtime protest planned for the end of this month.

Ms Wallace told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk that students and parents are on the teacher's side on the issue.