NUT teachers go on strike today. Pic: Geoff Dexter
A number of schools across the East London Lines boroughs will be closed today, as teachers support a nation-wide strike in reaction to a bitter row over pay and working conditions.
The one-day walkout has been called by the National Union of Teachers (NUT), despite the Department for Education (DfE) warning that the strike will disrupt local children’s education. The schools are expected to close to some or all pupils, depending on individual staffing shortages.
NUT Deputy General Secretary Kevin Courtney, said: “It’s still going ahead. Striking is our last resort. We have been trying to persuade (Education Secretary) Michael Gove to change his mind, but he is unwilling. Gove’s policies are exhausting and demoralising teachers and that’s very bad and disruptive for education.”
Courtney added that the union wants Gove to change his policies on school accountability, which the NUT said is leading to “enormous” workloads for teachers, and having a negative effect on performance related pay and pensions.
A DfE spokesman said: “Despite this constructive engagement with their concerns, the NUT is taking action that will disrupt parents’ lives, hold back children’s education and damage the reputation of the profession.”
For more information on school closures in your borough, please refer to your school website or council listings below:
Tower Hamlets have issued a notice on their council website stating the following: “Parents are advised that if their child’s school will be closed on Wednesday, March 26 due to the national strike action, they will have already received a letter informing them of the closure. If parents are in any doubt they are advised to contact their child’s school directly.”
