Three more school strike days planned in January
Further school and nursery closures could take place across Perth and Kinross in January as teachers look set to strike in protest over their pay and working conditions.
Perth and Kinross Council recently confirmed the potential move, which is subject to ongoing negotiations, ahead of planned national walkouts on January 10, 11 and 17.
On January 10, all council-run primary schools and nurseries in the PKC catchment area are to be closed as a result of the industrial action.
The following day all council secondary schools are due to follow suit, although the region’s local authority primaries and secondaries will be open to pupils.
The third day could see all council schools and nurseries, including Fairview Special School in Perth, closed.
The action is being taken by members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) and NASUWT.
It comes as members seek an improvement on the Scottish Government’s minimum 6.85 per cent pay rise offer.
Scottish Government education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the request for a 10 per cent increase for all teachers “is not affordable” and said the latest offer was “fair”.
A spokesperson for PKC said: “Further school and nursery closures will take place in January because of strike action called by teaching unions in a national dispute over pay.
“To allow parents and carers to plan ahead, Perth and Kinross Council has confirmed arrangements based on the information which is currently available for the national industrial action planned for January 10, 11 and 17.
“Free school meal payments will be made directly to those eligible and who are in receipt of the qualifying benefit for any class closures.
“School lets will remain open as normal on each of the days of action.”