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Teachers strike over pupil attack Teachers strike over pupil attack
(about 1 hour later)
Twenty-five teachers at Movilla High School in Newtownards, County Down, have gone on strike.Twenty-five teachers at Movilla High School in Newtownards, County Down, have gone on strike.
They are protesting at having their pay withdrawn because they refused to teach a pupil who they say assaulted one of them.They are protesting at having their pay withdrawn because they refused to teach a pupil who they say assaulted one of them.
However, the South Eastern Education Board supported the school's governors decision not to expel the child.However, the South Eastern Education Board supported the school's governors decision not to expel the child.
About 540 pupils at the school in Newtownards arrived for class on Monday, but were sent home.About 540 pupils at the school in Newtownards arrived for class on Monday, but were sent home.
The 25 teachers, who are members of the NAS/UWT union picketed outside the school and asked the 12 teachers who are in other unions, not to cover their classes.The 25 teachers, who are members of the NAS/UWT union picketed outside the school and asked the 12 teachers who are in other unions, not to cover their classes.
The union said teachers were angry that, when they stopped teaching the child, it meant their total pay would be stopped as they were refusing to follow the principal's instructions.The union said teachers were angry that, when they stopped teaching the child, it meant their total pay would be stopped as they were refusing to follow the principal's instructions.
They voted to go on indefinite strike.They voted to go on indefinite strike.
TalksTalks
They hoped that talks at the Labour Relations Agency might have sorted out the problem over the weekend.They hoped that talks at the Labour Relations Agency might have sorted out the problem over the weekend.
Seamus Searson, Northern Ireland organiser for the NASUWT, said: "All along we have made it clear that our members want to continue teaching their classes, but this particular pupil needs a new start with specialised support. Seamus Searson, Northern Ireland organiser for the NAS/UWT, said: "All along we have made it clear that our members want to continue teaching their classes, but this particular pupil needs a new start with specialised support.
"Clearly, we cannot tolerate a situation where our members are not paid for the work they are doing, and where, in effect, all the pupils are being punished for the behaviour of one."Clearly, we cannot tolerate a situation where our members are not paid for the work they are doing, and where, in effect, all the pupils are being punished for the behaviour of one.
"The failure of the South Eastern Education and Library Board to provide proper support for this pupil is having a devastating impact on teachers and students alike.""The failure of the South Eastern Education and Library Board to provide proper support for this pupil is having a devastating impact on teachers and students alike."
In a statement, the South Eastern Education and Library Board said an incident at the school had been "appropriately and proportionately dealt with" by the board of governors. The South Eastern Education and Library Board said it had met with NAS/UWT officials on 30 September.
It said that at this meeting a range of measures including additional specialised adult support for the school and a review of the decision to stop paying the teachers was proposed.
In a statement, the board described the incident at the school as having been "appropriately and proportionately dealt with" by the board of governors.
"The SEELB and the Board of Governors consider the health and safety of pupils and staff to be a very important and serious matter and would not have returned the pupil to the school if such a course of action presented a serious risk," the statement said."The SEELB and the Board of Governors consider the health and safety of pupils and staff to be a very important and serious matter and would not have returned the pupil to the school if such a course of action presented a serious risk," the statement said.
The board said it was prepared to meet teachers' representatives at the Labour Relations Agency but claimed NAS/UWT had set out preconditions and the board could not comply with them. The board also said it was prepared to meet teachers' representatives at the Labour Relations Agency but claimed NAS/UWT had set out preconditions and the board could not comply with them.