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Strike to disrupt 6,500 schools | Strike to disrupt 6,500 schools |
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The teachers' strike is set to close or partially close about 6,500 schools in England and Wales. | The teachers' strike is set to close or partially close about 6,500 schools in England and Wales. |
Warnings to parents from 108 local authorities - more than three out of five - so far show that 27% of schools are expected to face disruption. | Warnings to parents from 108 local authorities - more than three out of five - so far show that 27% of schools are expected to face disruption. |
The one-day pay strike is being staged on Thursday by members of the National Union of Teachers. | The one-day pay strike is being staged on Thursday by members of the National Union of Teachers. |
Children's Secretary Ed Balls, opposing the walk-out, says "the majority of teachers do not want to strike". | Children's Secretary Ed Balls, opposing the walk-out, says "the majority of teachers do not want to strike". |
Schools have been alerting parents to anticipated closures and loss of lessons - with more than 4,500 schools already set to be disrupted in a survey of 108 local authorities. | Schools have been alerting parents to anticipated closures and loss of lessons - with more than 4,500 schools already set to be disrupted in a survey of 108 local authorities. |
Widespread disruption | Widespread disruption |
If this pattern is reflected across other authorities it would mean more than 6,500 schools being disrupted, out of a total of more than 24,000, higher than some earlier estimates. | If this pattern is reflected across other authorities it would mean more than 6,500 schools being disrupted, out of a total of more than 24,000, higher than some earlier estimates. |
TEACHERS' STRIKE Schools so far facing strike disruption | TEACHERS' STRIKE Schools so far facing strike disruption |
There are a number of inner London authorities which are still to announce school closures, which could push the proportion of schools affected by the strike even higher. | There are a number of inner London authorities which are still to announce school closures, which could push the proportion of schools affected by the strike even higher. |
Widespread disruption is likely in a number of both inner city and rural areas. Leeds, Cardiff, Suffolk and Cumbria all look likely to have many schools shut or partially closed. | Widespread disruption is likely in a number of both inner city and rural areas. Leeds, Cardiff, Suffolk and Cumbria all look likely to have many schools shut or partially closed. |
The strike day is likely to cause childcare problems for parents - and an agency specialising in short-notice childcarers has reported a five-fold increase in inquiries. | The strike day is likely to cause childcare problems for parents - and an agency specialising in short-notice childcarers has reported a five-fold increase in inquiries. |
"Many parents have only just finished the Easter holidays so it is hard for them to take more time off work," says a spokesman for Emergencychildcare.co.uk. | "Many parents have only just finished the Easter holidays so it is hard for them to take more time off work," says a spokesman for Emergencychildcare.co.uk. |
Pay battle | Pay battle |
One headteacher on why she will be closing her school | One headteacher on why she will be closing her school |
The strike sees the teachers' union pitched against the government's constraints on public sector pay - with the NUT and the government arguing over which measure of inflation should be used to determine pay increases. | The strike sees the teachers' union pitched against the government's constraints on public sector pay - with the NUT and the government arguing over which measure of inflation should be used to determine pay increases. |
"What we're saying to the government is, if you really do value teachers, then make sure that they're paid at least at the level of inflation - which we take to be the RPI, which is 4.1%," says the union's acting head, Christine Blower. | "What we're saying to the government is, if you really do value teachers, then make sure that they're paid at least at the level of inflation - which we take to be the RPI, which is 4.1%," says the union's acting head, Christine Blower. |
The pay deal which the union is attacking represents 2.45% rise this year with a further rise of 2.3% in 2009 and 2010. | The pay deal which the union is attacking represents 2.45% rise this year with a further rise of 2.3% in 2009 and 2010. |
The government says it has increased teachers' pay by an average of 19% in real terms since 1997. | The government says it has increased teachers' pay by an average of 19% in real terms since 1997. |
And Schools Minister Jim Knight has attacked the union's decision to take strike action. | And Schools Minister Jim Knight has attacked the union's decision to take strike action. |
"I am very disappointed about the expected strike this week, but that is nothing compared to the disappointment of parents, whose children's lessons will be disrupted," said Mr Knight. | "I am very disappointed about the expected strike this week, but that is nothing compared to the disappointment of parents, whose children's lessons will be disrupted," said Mr Knight. |
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Will you be affected by the strike? Are you having to make arrangements to look after children? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. | Will you be affected by the strike? Are you having to make arrangements to look after children? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. |