More strike disruption for pupils as prelim exams postponed
PUPILS have suffered more disruption as their prelim exams were postponed because of school strikes.
The tests, which were due to take place yesterday, have been rescheduled after most secondary schools in Scotland shut. Unions plan another 16 days of action over the pay dispute, starting next week.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has admitted the Scottish Government and unions are still ‘some distance apart’ on reaching a deal.
Pupils have already endured severe disruption during the pandemic, including two long spells when schools closed.
Tory education spokesman Stephen Kerr said: ‘The rescheduling of pupils’ prelim exams due to strikes is another disruption that could have been avoided if the SNP Education Secretary had shown any interest in engaging with Scotland’s beleaguered teachers.
‘She was not even in the room during the recent rounds of negotiations, which were actually organised by the unions rather than the Government. This sums
‘SNP’s pathetically laid-back approach’
up the SNP’s pathetically laid-back approach to this dispute.’
Yesterday’s closures came after most primary schools shut on Tuesday due to action by members of the EIS, NASUWT, the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association and the Association of Headteachers and Deputes.
Unions have rejected a 5 per cent rise and want the offer to be doubled. Miss Somerville said this is ‘unaffordable’.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: ‘For six months we have seen little or no progress in negotiations, with the Scottish Government and [council umbrella group] Cosla only reheating an old, already rejected offer.’
Miss Somerville said: ‘The management of prelims is a matter for individual schools. Where they have been impacted by strike action, clearly they will be rescheduled.’
She said the strikes were ‘in no one’s interest’, adding: ‘The Scottish Government continues to urge teaching unions to reconsider their plans for industrial action while talks are ongoing.’