Department Of Education Says Impact Of Unite Strike On School Worrisome

Department of Education in Stormont says it is extremely concerned that some pupils will be unable to attend school due to upcoming strike action.

Members of the Unite union are planning to strike for almost two weeks after the Easter break.

The Education Authority has been notified of action from 26 April to 1 May and from 3 May to 8 May.

The strike is expected to disrupt school transport, meal services and the availability of classroom assistants.

The department has written a letter to schools outlining its response, including that most schools should stay open and provide face-to-face teaching during the strike.

It also said it believes the vast majority of parents will be able to put in place alternative transport so pupils can attend.

It added that not all pupils may be able to get to school, including some of the most vulnerable children and young people.

The letter stresses however that it is extremely important that face-to-face teaching for pupils is maximised.

Members of Unite were previously on strike in March over a local government pay offer of 1.75% which the union called a real-terms pay cut.

The Education Authority said a request for exemptions for special school classroom assistant staff, and for drivers transporting pupils to special schools will be made but these have not previously been agreed by Unite.

Principal of St Kevin’s College in Lisnaskea, Gary Kelly said around 70% of pupils travel to school by buses, mainly Education Authority buses and if they are not going to be on on the 25th of April that is going to cause significant disruption.