A Perthshire parent told the PA about their “massive” worries brought on by the Scottish Government stalemate with striking teachers looking for better pay.
Schools in North Perthshire were this week the subject of targeted union action intended to send a message to constituency MSP John Swinney.
They were closed Wednesday 22, Thursday 23 and Friday 24.
There is national strike action on February 28 and March 1 which will close all schools in Perth and Kinross. And then schools in the Perthshire North ward will again be the subject of further targeted action on from March 7 to 9.
The walk-outs potentially mean eight days of closed schools for students just months off key exams.
One dad, who has a son facing SQA Higher exams in May, opened up yesterday to share his anxiety: “I am massively concerned at the impact on my child’s learning and the grade that he will receive.
“The lessons the government should have learned through the pandemic haven’t sunk in. Back then kids from the poorest areas were the most affected by their grades being reduced and I fear we are going to see more unfairness as there will likely be no allowance made for kids missing schooling because the government won’t give a fair and proper pay increase to teachers.
“We have a bad enough education attainment gap and this is going to be made even worse if kids sitting exams this year don’t receive a bit of leeway in their results.”
Labour’s Cllr Brian Leishman of Perth City North and Alasdair Bailey who represents the Carse of Gowrie ward went to meet teachers standing outside Perth Grammar School.
Cllr Leishman said: “For teachers this isn’t just a job, it’s their passion to serve our communities and help shape the lives of our children and young people and inspire them on to the greatest achievements.
“They deserve a pay packet that doesn’t see them getting poorer.”
On the PA’s Facebook page another parent commented: “I don’t have an issue with the strike in principle. I have an issue with a targeted approach that will see some children disadvantaged.
“I couldn’t give two hoots about the politics, and I’m beginning to care even less about the EIS. Unions are meant to be about equality and fairness, however children facing exams this year will have six fewer teaching days if their school is in his constituency. That’s not very fair or equal is it?
“I don’t think the SQA will take strike days into account when they are marking papers from my child’s school as opposed to papers from a school that won’t be impacted, do you?”
The PA enquired about the possibility of the grades being lifted in consideration of the strike disruption.
A PKC spokesperson advised: “While we would hope that the potential impact of the strikes will be taken into consideration, this would be a matter for the SQA to comment on.
“Teaching trade unions have chosen to carry out industrial action both across the whole of Scotland and in targeted constituencies of specific MSPs.
“We can confirm that secondary pupils preparing to sit exams and their families will be advised of support available through our Virtual Campus and the national e-learning offer.”
Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville expressed “disappointment” that the EIS rejected outright the latest pay offer, an 11.5 per cent increase, or £5000, in April for most teachers, and a cumulative increase of almost 30 per cent since January 2018.
Ms Somerville said: “Our focus is on resolving the industrial dispute, delivering a fair and sustainable settlement for teachers and ending disruption to pupils, parents and carers.”
