Dundee secondary schools will close tomorrow when teachers strike.
Only vulnerable pupils and children of key workers who cannot find alternative childcare are allowed to attend, and are required to have approval in advance from their school.
Teaching union Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has organised the strike under its Stop Faculties campaign.
How long will the teachers’ strike last?
The EIS has planned for this strike to last for one day only, on June 22. After that, schools will return to usual operation.
David Baxter, Dundee rep for EIS and a teacher in the city, said: “We will be back into school after one day of action.
“We felt that would be unprecedented and the SNP would not want teachers on strike on manifesto policy of school empowerment when they are trying to impose something we don’t want.
“But we obviously misjudged the situation and they don’t care about what teachers think and believe they know more about what is best in the classroom.”
Dundee City Council has met union reps regularly and says it is ‘hoping and willing’ to continue talks.
Will there be any further consequences of strike?
The Dundee branch of EIS has decided that from August onwards it will ‘battle for the removal of good will’.
That means votes will take place in relation to removing the ‘good will’ of teachers in carrying out duties above and beyond their job description and pay scale.
It will also have an impact on where the union’s annual general meeting (AGM) is held.
The three-day event – currently taking place in Dundee – brings hundreds of people to the city and is worth an estimated £1m in local revenue.
In reaction to the council’s new recruitment drive for faculty posts, the EIS has withdrawn an invitation for Dundee Lord Provost Bill Campbell to attend the meeting.
David said: “The AGM is taking place this week but it’s the last time it will be held in Dundee and if the strike goes ahead, I don’t believe it will ever be back.
“We will not deal with a local authority that tries to circumnavigate industrial relations.”
Why are Dundee secondary teachers striking?
They are campaigning against the introduction of a faculties management system in secondary schools.
Faculties will see ‘families’ of subjects grouped together with one curriculum head, instead of a principal teacher in every subject, as is the current system.
This will see 110 principal teacher posts axed and could mean, for example, a teacher in biology heading a science faculty for biology, chemistry and physics.
The EIS argues this is not beneficial to pupils and will result in fewer experienced teachers, less dedicated support and an increase in teachers’ workload and stress.
David said: “It’s not about money, it’s not about pensions, it’s about politicians telling teachers that they know more about how to run education than teachers do.
“The council is not listening to teachers, it is ignoring them. Councillors keep saying they have made the decision and cannot go back on it but of course they can.”
The council says the system will bring together related subjects and believes it will raise pupils’ attainment.
Stewart Hunter, children and families convener for Dundee City council, said: “A move to faculties is designed to improve the quality of learning and teaching by providing enhanced whole school leadership that can better support pupils and improve outcomes.
“Head teachers have been clear with us that this is what they want for their schools.
“They believe that faculties, tailored to their own schools, will benefit their young people.”
