Secondary schools across the Highlands to be hit by further strike action

Secondary schools across the Highlands will be closed early in the New Year for another day of strike action by teachers.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) have indicated their intention to take strike action on Wednesday 11th January 2023 across all the region's high schools.

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

Nicky Grant, Highland Council's executive chief officer of education and learning, said: "The safe supervision of children and young people is of the utmost importance and given that we anticipate significantly reduced numbers of both management and teaching staff in schools, a decision has been made to close all secondary schools to pupils on this day.

"I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause, however, it is hoped that communicating this decision early it will allow parents and carers to plan ahead.

"While the council has been formally notified by the EIS and the SSTA of their intention to strike, if there are any developments at a national level that averts strike action taking place then parents and carers will be notified of this through the council website www.highland.gov.uk; our social media platforms as well as children’s usual school communication channels."

Highland Council added that school transport and crossing patrols will not operate on the day.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.