More teachers’ strikes possible

12:08pm Monday 28th April 2008

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SIXTY-TWO schools were shut in Greenwich and Lewisham as hundreds of teachers joined a protest march in the centre of London.

More than half of pupils in both boroughs had the day off as members of the National Union for Teachers (NUT) took strike action over a pay dispute.

Lewisham NUT secretary Martin Powell-Davies said: "As we predicted, more than half the schools in Lewisham were closed completely by the action.

"We had picket lines at most of the secondary schools from 8am."

At Sydenham School, Dartmouth Road, Sydenham, picketers held banners which read: "Dear Ed, food +7% but teachers pay +2.45%??... Balls!"

Around 7,000 teachers took part in the rally in London on Thursday, in the biggest industrial action by teachers for 21 years.

Mr Powell-Davies said 400 teachers from Lewisham borough joined in the march to protest against about a below-inflation wage rise offer of 2.45 per cent.

He said: "There were some headteachers there as well. It was a very good turnout.

"If the Government doesn't listen and we have do it again, we will."

In Greenwich, 18,210 pupils out of a total of 31,670 had the day off.

Eighteen schools closed, including two nurseries, 14 primaries, one secondary and one special school, while 44 schools were partially closed and 25 remained open.

In Lewisham, a third of pupils had classes while 23,127 youngsters were off school.

Forty-four schools closed, 28 were partially affected and 19 stayed open.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock said: "It is very unfortunate the NUT feel it needs to strike over this issue.

"Of course people have a right to take industrial action but Lewisham Council is responsible for the education of children and the NUT is putting this in jeopardy."

College lecturers also went on strike on Thursday, demanding their pay be brought closer in line with school teachers and inflation.