Cllr Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, told Edinburgh Live: “We fully realise the impact that closing our schools next week will have on not only parents and carers but also our young people however the planned strike action has left us with no choice.”
She explained: “Our top priority will always be our young people’s education but the Scottish Government and COSLA must act now and get round the table immediately with the unions to come up with a deal that avoids these potential strikes.
“They waited far too long when it came to resolving the bin strikes in the summer and it caused untold disruption across Edinburgh and other cities in Scotland.”
She also added: “Our young people have already missed enough time in the schools through the pandemic without having to suffer more lost learning away from the classroom.
“For the sake of our children’s education, the Scottish Government and COSLA must get this sorted as a priority.”
The city council has confirmed that all Edinburgh schools will be closed due to strikes on Thursday, November 24.
All schools across the city and nursery classes within schools will be closed. Children who receive free school meals will be given lunch to take home on Wednesday for the following day.
Amanda Hatton, Executive Director of Education and Children’s services, has written a letter to parents and carers regarding school closures and other arrangements as a result of the planned teachers’ strike next week.
As almost all teachers will be involved, schools will be closed on that day.
Teachers and other staff who are not striking will work from home. Headteachers will send out details of the learning and pastoral support that will be provided as soon as possible.
Term-time nursery classes within primary schools will be closed. All other settings will be open. Specific arrangements will be emailed separately.
Those who are eligible for free school meals will take home Thursday’s lunch on Wednesday with instructions for keeping it fresh until used.
There will be no clubs other than evening classes which take place after 6pm.
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