PARENTS are reminded that all Clackmannanshire schools will be closed on Thursday, November 24 due to strike action.

This includes every primary, secondary and additional needs school, though there are some exceptions.

Park ELC, Menstrie ELC, Tulach ELC and Sauchie ELC will remain open as normal, it has been confirmed.

However, early learning centres based within primary schools will be closed to all learners.

Clackmannanshire Council will be supporting families who are eligible for free school meals and a payment will be made to parents and carers of each child in December.

These closures form part of ongoing strike action as school staff across Scotland will take part in their first national strike for pay in almost 40 years.

Members of the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland and the Educational Institute of Scotland are asking for a 10 per cent pay increase.

Andrea Bradley, EIS general secretary, explained the union is prepared to keep striking until a fair offer is made.

She said: “The EIS has allowed for a period of further negotiation up until the Christmas break, giving yet another opportunity for an agreement to be reached.

“Should no acceptable offer be received by this time, our members will be called to take further action on two days in early January.

“The ball is very much in the court of the Scottish Government – only an improved and acceptable offer can prevent strike action and an escalation to further action in this dispute."

Shirley-Anne Somerville, the government's education secretary, added: "We are absolutely committed to supporting a fair pay offer for teachers through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, the body that negotiates their pay and conditions of service.

"I spoke to trades union representatives on Friday and restated that I am keen to work with Cosla, as the employers, to allow them to make a revised pay offer and avoid unnecessary strikes.

"I have been clear, however, that the Scottish Government has a fixed budget and if we are looking to fund public sector pay offers, then that money must come from somewhere else in the budget."