Schools across region set to close as union stages a one-day strike

HUNDREDS of schools across Yorkshire face major disruption this week when teachers stage a national walkout in a long-running row over pay and conditions.

The latest one-day national strike is taking place on Wednesday organised by the National Union of Teachers (NUT).

It is in dispute with the Department for Education over what it claims is excessive workload being faced by teachers, changes to pensions and the introduction of performance-related pay.

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General Secretary Christine Blower said: “Teachers deeply regret the disruption caused by this strike action to parents and teachers. The Government’s refusal, however, to engage to resolve the dispute means that we have no alternative other than to demonstrate the seriousness of our concerns.

“Teachers’ levels of workload are intolerable – the Government’s own survey, published last month, shows that primary school teachers work nearly 60 hours a week and secondary school teachers work nearly 56 hours a week

Bradford’s NUT branch secretary, John Howarth, said: “Teacher workload is unsustainable and the thought of doing the job until 68 is driving many away from the job. Teacher morale is at dangerously low levels.

“Children need teachers who are fresh and well motivated not tired and demoralised.

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“All the polls show that Michael Gove is out of touch with teachers and parents.” A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “Parents will struggle to understand why the NUT is pressing ahead with strikes over the Government’s measures to let heads pay good teachers more.”

A series of rallies will also take place on Wednesday.