There were picket lines outside some East Devon schools on Thursday, March 2, as the dispute over teachers’ pay and education funding continues.
Local members of the National Education Union protested outside Sidmouth College, Exmouth College and the King’s School in Ottery St Mary.
Speaking before the day of action, the joint branch secretary of the NEU in Devon Mike Gurney apologised for the disruption and said: “The public needs to appreciate that schools are in crisis and pupils’ education is suffering every day because of the Government's failure to tackle pay and teacher recruitment in schools. Not enough teachers are being recruited and many are leaving for easier and better paid jobs elsewhere.”
The next teachers’ strike in England and Wales is due to take place on Wednesday, March 15 – which is also budget day. Tens of thousands of public sector union members are also expected to walk out, along with junior doctors and London Underground workers.
The NEU is also due to strike on Thursday, March 16.
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