Teachers across the country are set to strike in October, but the knock on effect it is set to have on Island schools is currently unknown and may not be known until the day itself, it has been revealed.
On Thursday 17th October, members of the NUT and NASUWT, who together represent 9 out of 10 teachers, are staging a one day strike due to a dispute over pay, pensions, working conditions and jobs.
The Isle of Wight Council are this week reminding parents on the Island that teachers are not required to inform their school if they are planning on taking part in strike action until the day itself, so some schools may not be in a position to confirm if they are open, partially closed or closed until the day of the strike action.
Speaking in reaction to the news, local parent Jane Followill told Island Echo:
“They should be made to pay a fine like we would have to if we took our children out of school.”
Talking in support of the teachers on Island Echo’s Facebook page, Matt Edmunds said:
“All the teachers I know work from about 8 until 6, and that’s doing all the ‘hands on’ stuff. Marking and lesson planning is done in their so-called ‘spare time’, not to mention any after-school activities which are essentially voluntary. They tend to get about 6 weeks a year of genuine holiday, balanced against long hours during term time and, of course, having no choice about when to take holidays.”
Parents are urged to always assume that their child’s school is open as normal, unless advised otherwise.
Island Echo will bring you continuing coverage of the strike action including a list of school closures and openings as and when a decision has been made.
