A new pay offer could be made in a bid to avert strikes set to close schools across Dumfries and Galloway on Thursday.
Teachers are preparing for industrial action after rejecting a five per cent increase put forward by employers representatives.
Education director Gillian Brydson wrote to parents and carers in the region explaining that primary and secondaries will close with nurseries set to be “significantly affected”.
Teachers in the EIS have voted for industrial action in a battle with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) over their rejection of a five per cent pay offer.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said striking was a “last resort” but teachers had become “increasingly angry over their treatment”.
But she was “very, very hopeful” a new offer would be made ahead of Thursday’s walkout.
In her letter to parents, Ms Brydson wrote: “You may be aware from information in the media that teaching staff who are members of Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and Association of Head Teachers and Deputes in Scotland trade unions are planning to strike on Thursday, November 24.
“On the day of the strike, all primary and secondary schools in Dumfries and Galloway will be closed to all pupils.
“It is envisaged that all early learning and childcare provision (school nurseries) will be significantly affected by the strike and will be unable to open. It is likely that private childcare providers will remain open on this day.
“We are still working with senior staff and managers across Dumfries and Galloway to risk assess the opening of school nurseries. I realise this is difficult for parents who want certainty at this stage to help them plan their childcare for next week. I advise, therefore, that parents should plan for their school nursery provision being closed on 24 November.
“Arrangements are being made for free school meal provision for the day of the strike. This will be communicated directly once these plans have been finalised.
“Your school will contact you directly with any additional information.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused. This is a day of industrial action against national pay and conditions. The council is represented by the employers’ association (COSLA) to negotiate with the teaching trade unions and Scottish Government.”
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show, EIS official Ms Bradley was optimistic the strike action may not be needed after all.
She said: “I have been in informal discussions with the Scottish Government and I am hopeful that something that will be worth considering by our salaries committee will be forthcoming at the beginning of the week.”
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Sommerville said the Scottish Government was looking to see if additional funding could be provided to COSLA to enable it to enhance the pay offer.
She said: “I spoke to trades union representatives on Friday and restated that I am keen to work with COSLA, as the employers, to allow them to make a revised pay offer and avoid unnecessary strikes.
“I have been clear, however, that the Scottish Government has a fixed budget and if we are looking to fund public-sector pay offers, then that money must come from somewhere else in the budget.”
Primary, special schools and early years teachers will down tools on Tuesday, January 10m and secondary and special school teachers will walk out on Wednesday, January 11.
