Gifts for teachers could be considered an attempt to influence Leaving Cert grades

Gifts for teachers will be considered as a serious attempt to influence Leaving Cert grades under new guidelines being issued to schools today.

Teachers will be given a guide to the predictive grading system to be used in this year's state exams.

Any attempt by a student or parent to contact the teacher to discuss estimated marks will be reported to the Department of Education.

It will be judged as a serious attempt to interfere with the fairness and impartiality of a teacher.