Schools in many parts of Scotland confirm they will be closed due to strike action
SCHOOLS in many parts of Scotland have announced they will be closed as teachers walk out on strike next month in a dispute over pay.
Educational Institute of Scotland ( EIS) and NASUWT members in primary schools will take strike action action on January 10 while those in secondary schools will walk out on January 11, joined by Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association ( SSTA) members.
Teachers have already rejected a deal which would see most staff in classrooms receive a 5% pay rise, although the lowest earning teachers would get a 6.85% increase.
Several councils, including Highland and Aberdeen City Council, have announced that schools in their areas will be shut, while Glasgow City Council said it is “likely” they will be.
Glasgow City Council has not made a final decision but told parents that it is “likely” schools will be shut, including on January 16 when EIS members are due to begin further action.
In a letter to parents, Douglas Hutchison, the council’s executive director of education, said: “If nothing changes in the next few weeks, it is likely that our schools will be
closed to pupils on the above dates, as we have no way of knowing in advance how many staff will be reporting for work.
“In addition, different unions have co- ordinated their action this time to take place on the same days.
“Our intention is that nursery classes and standalone nurseries will open as normal.
“I know that this uncertainty is far from ideal and will mean that you may need to make alternative arrangements at short notice once again.”
The City of Edinburgh Council has not announced its plans, however, Moray Council has confirmed that all primary schools will be closed to pupils on January 10, and all secondary schools closed to pupils on January 11.
The strikes in January will come after SSTA and NASUWT members took two days of strike action earlier this month while EIS members walked out on November 24.
Speaking this week, education Secretary Shirley- Anne Somerville said: “We remain committed to a fair, sustainable settlement for Scotland’s teachers and will continue to engage with teaching unions and Cosla constructively.”