SCHOOLS CHAOS LOOMS

MASS closure of schools and nurseries looks increasingly likely across Scotland next week as more councils began issuing warnings to parents ahead of strike action.

Yesterday Inverclyde Council said it would be shutting schools, including secondaries, on September 6, 7 and 8 due to action by members of Unison and the GMB. These include office staff and janitors.

It follows decisions by Glasgow and East Renfrewshire to close primaries, nurseries and additional support for learning facilities. Stirling, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, Orkney, Clackmannanshire and Angus are expected to tell parents tomorrow.

Unions plan separate talks on whether to accept a 5 per cent pay offer in a row that has been running since April. The EIS salaries committee has voted to reject the offer and wants the EIS executive to hold a consultative ballot calling for strike action.