Nearly all of Newport's schools will be impacted on Wednesday as thousands of teachers go on strike. Both teachers and support staff are walking out in a strike by members of the National Education Union Cymru (NEU) on Wednesday, February 1 with further strikes planned for February 14, March 15 and 16.
Teachers in Wales have branded the Welsh Government’s 5% pay offer an insult and are calling for a pay increase closer to inflation, which is currently over 10%. They say years of underfunding has led to a staff recruitment and retainment crisis and increased pressure on schools across the country.
Unions have also rejected a Welsh Government offer of a one-off payment in addition to the 5% increase. Widespread school closures are expected on Wednesday with other areas such as Cardiff, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan all confirming most of their schools will be closed or partially closed. Schools should have notified parents and guardians if their school will be affected on Wednesday and most are expected to fully close, although some will be open for certain year groups. Some online lessons will be offered by non-striking staff but teaching staff cannot be forced to cover classes of colleagues taking industrial action.
