Teachers' strike could force school closures

The National Union of Teachers will call on its members to take national strike action on Tuesday, with schools throughout the borough affected either through complete closure, partial closure or operating a reduced timetable.

Ian Stevenson NUT Regional Secretary said: “NUT members across the region will be joining this strike action, with protest rallies and meetings taking place in many of the major towns and cities."

“According to Institute of Fiscal Studies, schools are facing the worst education funding cuts since the 1970s.

“This will result in increasing class sizes and a reduction in subject choices.

“We will also see teachers and support staff jobs being cut or not replaced meaning less individual attention for children.”

He added: “On top of the funding cuts, the break-up of the national system of terms and conditions is a complete distraction for head teachers.

“Instead of focusing on teaching and learning, they will have to spend huge amounts of time negotiating teacher contracts.

“Teachers do not take strike action lightly, they go into the profession to make a difference to children's lives and to develop in them a love of learning.

“However, funding cuts are having a damaging effect both on children and their teachers.”

The Department for Education hit back: “It is disappointing the NUT has chosen to take unnecessary and damaging strike action, which less than a quarter of its members voted for.

“It is even more disappointing when we have offered and committed to formal talks between ministers and the unions to address their concerns about pay.

“Industrial action causes disruption to children’s education and parents who have to take time out of work to arrange childcare.

“We urge the NUT not to proceed with this strike and to resolve pay disputes at the negotiating table rather than playing politics with children’s futures.”