MILLIONS of kids face devastating school closures from next month after teachers voted to strike.
Hundreds of thousands of members of the National Education Union will walk out over seven days in February and March to escalate their pay row.
Some kids will be prioritised to stay in lessons if possible
Militant bosses trumpeted the ballot results despite only just scraping the 50 per cent turnout requirement.
They were rounded on last night for unleashing more disruption on pupils still playing catch up after the pandemic.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan called the walkouts “deeply disappointing for children and parents”.
She said: “Talks with union leaders are ongoing and any strike action from one union will have a damaging impact on pupils’ education and wellbeing, particularly following the disruption experienced over the past two years.”
Independent Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza said strikes will “add to the challenges already faced by so many pupils who are catching up on lost learning”.
But what does the teacher strike mean for parents and teachers?
Will schools shut?
Headteachers are expected by ministers to “take all reasonable steps to keep the school open for as many pupils as possible” on strike days.
But their decision will be based on how many staff absences there are and whether it will be possible to carry on.
They might be able to keep some children in class with reduced staffing, or feel they are left with no choice but to close up altogether.
Unions are not required to provide a minimum level of service, and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan this morning could not guarantee schools would stay open.
The NEU said more than 23,400 schools will be affected, but each will only be hit by four of the seven strike days.
Will kids be taught from home?
Yes, hopefully. Guidance sent to schools last night said they should provide remote lessons where possible.
Just like in the pandemic, teachers will deliver online classes to kids using laptops from home.
What if parents cannot stay at home to look after their children?
Ministers have told headteachers to prioritise vulnerable and key worker children if places in school are limited on strike days – like in lockdown.
The government’s official list of critical industries includes people who work in health, education, justice, journalism, religious staff, food processing, national security, transport, and vital infrastructure.
What if kids receive free school meals?
If a child is eligible for free school meals, the provider should still offer a lunch parcel that can be delivered to homes.
Do children have to come in on strike days?
Yes, if told to. Children who are not asked to stay at home but do will be marked down as absent in the school register.
If pupils are told to stay home, they will be marked down as present.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan called the walkouts “deeply disappointing for children and parents”.
