Teacher strike: Shire schools closing, other councils to announce soon

By Garrett Stell

November 16 2022, 10:46 am

Other councils across the north and north-east are still checking how the strike will affect local schools. Most expect to make an announcement by the end of the week. Paul Glendell

Aberdeenshire Council have today confirmed that all schools in the region will close on Thursday, November 24 due to a planned teacher strike.

The strike, organised by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union, will not affect early learning centres in Aberdeenshire.

In a letter to parents on Wednesday morning, chief education officer Vincent Docherty said that the council would not be able to safely operate schools on the day of the strike due to the number of staff absences.

Non-union staff members are still expected to come to work. There will be no virtual learning for students on Thursday.

Schools will reopen as normal again on Friday, November 25.

Aberdeen City Council expects schools to be significantly disrupted, but have not said which, of any, schools would close.

Other councils across the north and north-east are still checking how the strike will affect local schools. Most expect to make an announcement by the end of the week.

EIS members make up a significant proportion of the teachers in local councils, with more than 9,000 member teachers in north and north-east schools.

There are 2,500 members in Aberdeenshire alone.

Schools can’t be opened ‘safely’

Mr Doherty broke the news about school closures in a letter to parents on Wednesday.

“From the information provided to Aberdeenshire Council by the unions, it will not be possible for us to safely open any of our schools on that day,” he said.

Head of education Vincent Docherty told parents on Wednesday that Aberdeenshire schools will close because of the teacher strike. Photo by Colin Rennie.

“The buildings will be closed to all pupils, and this will affect all primary and secondary schools.”

The letter, seen by the P&J, also said that early learning centres would operate as usual. Aberdeenshire schools will reopen on Friday, November 25, Mr Doherty added.

“We appreciate that closures inconvenience parents and carers, and so we are keen to give you as much advance notice of the impact of the action on our schools.”

The letter confirms earlier reports of school closures that came shortly after EIS announced its strike last week.

Other councils primed for disruption

Education officials in Orkney said they still need more information before they can be sure of the impact on local schools and nurseries. But a council spokesman said it is likely there will be significant disruption.

They are advising parents to make alternative plans for childcare on November 24.

A spokesperson from Aberdeen City said that education officials are making similar plans.

“Initial work has indicated that disruption is highly likely should the strike action go ahead and the provision of education is likely to be significantly compromised, with the potential for some school closures.”

A Moray Council spokesman said that they expect to release more information on Thursday.

Other north and north-east councils are yet to confirm whether local schools will close.