Minister urged to solve Movilla dispute
PARENTS of children unable to attend a Newtownards school due to industrial action, have demanded the intervention of Education Minister Caitriona Ruane.
Around 30 parents along with numerous pupils staged a protest at Movilla High School on Friday, venting their frustration at the ongoing impasse between a techers' union and a local education board.
Teachers at the secondary school are involved in their tenth consecutive day of strike action after the Southern Education and Library Board opted not to pay them, following their refusal to teach a pupil who allegedly assaulted a colleague.
Over 500 pupils at the school have been caught up in the dispute as they have been prevented from sitting at their desks for two weeks, with a mid-term break due next week.
Concerned parent Karen Robinson, whose son is due to sit GCSE exams next month, believes it is now time Ms Ruane personally attempted to solve the crisis for the sake of the pupils.
"We want the minister to come down here to the school, we want the board to come here and we want the minister to intervene and tell the board enough is enough," she said.
"We are supporting the children, we want the teachers back in the school and if this is not resolved by the end of half-term next week we will have every parent and every pupil outside this school protesting.
"The union said the teachers want back, the parents want them back, the pupils want to go back - so what's the problem?"
Discussions between the teachers' union and the SEELB have failed to reach agreement.
On Friday, the board indicated the teaching of pupils at another school is one option currently being considered to solve the impasse.
Police confirmed this week the teenager at the centre of the dispute will appear in court next month.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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