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Strike school is closed to pupils School row 'needs to be resolved'
(about 9 hours later)
Movilla High School in Newtownards will be closed to pupils on Tuesday due to an ongoing strike by some teachers. Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has called for action to end the dispute at Movilla High School.
They are protesting over having pay docked because they refused to teach a pupil who they say assaulted a teacher. The school has been closed to pupils until further notice due to an ongoing strike by some teachers.
Another union, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers has balloted its 10 members about refusing to teach the pupil in question. NAS/UWT members are protesting over having pay docked because they refused to teach a pupil who they say assaulted a teacher at the Newtownards school.
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.
Speaking in the assembly on Tuesday Ms Ruane said that negotiation was the only way forward.
"We need to see this issue resolved. Whether it be by the offer of the children's commissioner to mediate, the auspices of the Labour Relations Agency, or local dialogue," she said.
"I would also ask that the privacy of the pupil and their family be respected by all involved."
Strikers have said their morale is high and that they have received plenty of support.
"We've have a very good response from the general public and other teachers generally," said the union's Fred Brown.
Another union, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers has balloted its 10 members about refusing to teach the pupil in question.
In a statement, the SEELB described the incident as having been "appropriately and proportionately dealt with" by the board of governors.
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 board had told the protesting teachers they would not be paid, even if they were teaching other classes normally.
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. The restoration of that pay is now the only barrier to talks at the Labour Relations Agency.
The South Eastern Education and Library Board said it had met with NAS/UWT officials two weeks ago and proposed a range of measures, including putting in place a support worker for the pupil. The union wants guarantees the pay will be restored, the board wants no pre-conditions. The union has described this approach as "confrontational".
In a statement, the board described the incident as having been "appropriately and proportionately dealt with" by the board of governors.
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.