NI school closures on Wednesday as strike brings 'civil service and education to a halt'

Nipsa said the strike action, which will result in widespread school closures, “will bring the civil service and education to a halt” in a row over pay.

With all five teaching unions joining the industrial action, many schools have already notified parents of schools being closed, as well as placing information notices on the schools’ websites.

In Co Down, the Anahilt Primary School website states: “Many schools in the Lisburn area and across Northern Ireland, in consultation with their boards of governors, have determined it would not be possible to operate safely during a strike and that their schools will therefore be closed to all pupils on Wednesday 26th April 2023. Anahilt PS will be closed to pupils.”

Botanic Primary in south Belfast advised parents: “It is extremely likely that Botanic Primary School will be closed to all pupils on Wednesday 26th April 2023. This will be for all pupils and NOT like the previous occasion when some pupils attended and the rest came at 12 noon.”

The message adds: “I will provide more details over the course of the next few days – but these might only be final confirmation that the school will be definitely closed.

“I know you will want to be making other arrangements for your children that day.”

The Lagan College school website had the simple message: “No students to attend school on this date.”

Commenting on the impact of the strikes, Nipsa said the “scale of the action means that every community in Northern Ireland will be directly involved”.

Nipsa general secretary Carmel Gates said: “The action has been forced in large measure by the government’s decision to implement sanctions in Northern Ireland.

“The sanctions imposed by the secretary of state and Westminster are designed to force Northern Ireland political parties to return to Stormont.

“In effect, these sanctions only hurt ordinary people and will cause permanent damage to public services.”

The union leader added: “The pay award to our members of £552 is insulting and derisory and adds to the wage cut of more than 20% in 10 years. More than 60% of civil servants now earn below the NI median wage.

“It is time for the trade union movement to say enough is enough. We will build a mighty campaign for pay justice and for an end to cuts in public services.”

Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of teaching union NASUWT, said teachers “shouldn’t have to take industrial action simply to benefit from decent pay and working conditions”.

However, he said they “have been left with no choice but to take further strike action”.

Mr Roach said: “It is not remotely acceptable for teachers and lecturers to see their pay cut in real terms when they facing the biggest squeeze on their incomes for decades.”

NASUWT official Justin McCamphill said: “Our members are not prepared to stand by while their pay dwindles and their living costs rise.

“The Department of Education and the Department for Economy along with the employers must bring forward a substantially improved pay offer if they want to see an end to these disputes.”