Industry News
Strike could lead to loss of 'invaluable study time'
Posted on 21st April 2008
A school employers' organisation has told how the impending teachers' strike could be damaging to children who are preparing for upcoming exams.
Chairman of the National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers Ivan Ould criticised the timing of the strike as pupils enter the last month of study before A-levels, GCSEs and Sats begin.
The strike, which is set for this Thursday (April 24th), could see up to half of the schools in England and Wales close as teachers walk out in a row over pay.
Speaking to the BBC Mr Ould said: "Children so close to their exams will lose out on invaluable study time and parents will lose out as they are forced to take unnecessary holiday to look after them."
Christine Blower, acting secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the union behind the strike, stood by the industrial action, saying: "The School Teachers' Review Body and the government must act immediately to prevent further damage to schools' ability to recruit and retain teachers and to restore teachers' morale and motivation."