Schools close due to strike action

All primary and secondary schools across the Forth Valley will close today and tomorrow, as staff walk out in a dispute over pay.

Members of two trade unions have rejected a pay offer from the Scottish Government.

The EIS and NASUWT unions previously turned down a 6.5% pay rise.

In a statement, Falkirk Council say:

"28 February 2023 - all schools and nursery classes will be closed to pupils.
01 March 2023 - all schools and nursery classes will be closed to pupils.
Early Learning and Childcare Centres are not affected on any of these dates.
Where establishments are affected on these dates, pupils should remain at home.

Unfortunately, we will not be in a position to offer an online learning option to these pupils on the affected days.

Families of pupils remaining at home and who are eligible for Free School Meals based on the Scottish Government eligibility criteria (excluding those receiving a meal under the universal P1-P5 provision) will receive a retrospective meal payment."

Stirling Council say:

"Stirling Council can confirm that all of its primary schools, secondary schools and Additional Support Needs provisions (including Castleview Nursery) will be closed to pupils on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March, as a result of industrial action by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), Association of Heads and Deputes Scotland (AHDS), Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT).

Stand-alone nurseries and nursery classes will remain open as normal.

The industrial action is part of a national dispute over pay for teaching staff.

Free school meal provision for entitled pupils will be made in the form of payment on Monday 27 February.

All schools will reopen as normal on Thursday 2 March.

Letters have been sent to parents and guardians in advance of the anticipated disruption."

Clackmannanshire Council say:

"Planned industrial action will impact schools across Clackmannanshire on Tuesday, February 28, and Wednesday, March 1. This impacts primary schools including Lochies, secondary schools and CSSS. All primary ELC classes and stand alone ELCs will remain open."