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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Lucy Farrell

Scotland teachers strike explained as schools to close during two-day walkout

Parents are being urged to brace for school closures as teachers are to strike across the country on the second and third day of the new term.

Four teaching unions have confirmed that mass walkouts will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday over pay disputes, with further action to take place later in the month.

People are being urged to check their local authority website for information on specific closures. The first day of strikes will affect primary schools, while the second will impact secondary institutions.

The fresh strike action comes after nearly all primary, secondary schools and some nurseries closed in November. Partial strikes last month also saw some minor school closures in the lead up to Christmas.

Here is everything you should know about the latest teachers strikes.

Why are teachers striking?

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Shirley-Anne Somerville (PA)

Teachers in Scotland are striking over unresolved pay disputes.

On Friday, discussions were held between unions and Scotland's Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville. After rejecting an offer of a five per cent rise educators are fighting for a 10 per cent increase.

However, the current offer on the table would see the lowest-earning teachers get a 6.85 per cent pay increase.

Further talks are to take place on Monday, just one day before walkouts are to take place. But unions have said that unless a new offer is made, the strikes will go ahead as planned.

What schools will be closed?

Primary schools in Scotland will shut on Tuesday, January 10, while secondary institutions will remain closed on Wednesday, January 11.

While four unions have confirmed walkouts will take place, not all of them will be striking on the same days. This is because some unions are just for primary school staff, while others just have secondary school staff as members.

However, there are unions that deal with both school staff, meaning they will be striking on both days. Further strikes this month will see both primary and secondary schools close on the same day.

What unions are taking part?

The following trade unions will be staging walkouts on these dates:

January 10

  • Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS)

January 11

  • Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA)

January 10 and 11

  • The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)
  • National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NAWSUT)

Will more striking take place?

Unions have confirmed a third day of industrial action will take place affecting all schools under local authority.

Dates for this strike vary between local councils, but span between the period of January 20 and February 1.

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