This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7668710.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
School row 'needs to be resolved' | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Education Minister CaitrÃona Ruane has called for action to end the dispute at Movilla High School. | |
The school has been closed to pupils until further notice due to an ongoing strike by some teachers. | |
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 board had told the protesting teachers they would not be paid, even if they were teaching other classes normally. | |
The restoration of that pay is now the only barrier to talks at the Labour Relations Agency. | |
The union wants guarantees the pay will be restored, the board wants no pre-conditions. The union has described this approach as "confrontational". | |