Teachers were angered by the “shoddy” pay offer they received from the Scottish Government earlier this week, the head of the largest teaching union has said.

As thousands of striking teachers held a rally outside the Scottish Parliament to push for an improved pay offer, EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said they are “determined” to make their case.

Scotland’s first national teacher strike in almost 40 years took place on Thursday, with all mainland schools closing.

Scottish Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said the 10% pay claim being sought by the unions is “unaffordable” without cuts elsewhere.

Speaking at the rally, Ms Bradley told the PA news agency: “Their anger has been inflamed by the very, very poor offer that came very late on Tuesday afternoon, which was a lazy, shoddy rehash of the offer we’ve already considered and summarily rejected in September, nearly three months ago.”

She said of the striking teachers: “There’s a buoyancy, they’re high-spirited, they feel good about the collective action they’re taking because they’re pretty determined that they are going to pursue the fair pay claim that’s been submitted on their behalf.”

She said the latest offer was a delaying tactic and more money could be made available.

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