Up to 27,000 teachers have held lunchtime protests across the country over their 'grave concerns' about planned changes to the Junior Certificate.

Rallies were planned outside every secondary school at lunchtime by members of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI).

They are concerned that changes to the Junior Cert are being introduced next year without proper consultation or the necessary resources.

The protests took the form of a short rally outside second-level school premises around the country. The TUI sayid normal supervision arrangements continued during the event.

Teachers believe proposals by Education Minister Rurairi Quinn "pose serious threats to education standards and to the objectivity and transparency of Junior Cycle examinations".

The President of the TUI Gerard Craughwell says schools will not be disrupted by the action.However, the Education Minister says he's "frustrated" with complaints by teachers over the new Junior Cycle.

Ruairi Quinn says he's still waiting for the teachers unions to spell out what they want in terms of extra resources, time and consultation.

Minister Ruairi Quinn says he can't understand their concerns - he says he's given them plenty of time to adapt.