Movilla Strike Day 10: Parents' Anger

Parents of pupils at a Newtownards high school - that has remained closed for two weeks – have raised concerns about the affect the teachers' strike is having on their children's education.

It has now been suggested that some pupils at Movilla High School could receive classes elsewhere, as the industrial action looks set to enter its third week.

Twenty-five union members walked out last Monday, after having their pay docked for refusing to teach a pupil, who allegedly assaulted one of them.

Despite ongoing consultation between teachers and the local education board, a resolution to the dispute is yet to be found.

Today, the South Eastern Education and Library Board hinted that a current option under consideration was to provide lessons to Movilla pupils elsewhere.

Principal Lyn Thompson has called on both sides to work together to finding a resolution.

"The parents are very concerned about their children," she said.

"It is incumbent on all parties to try and resolve this situation so that these people can get their children back to school," said Ms Thompson.

Parents have now even taken to the picket line themselves in protest at the teachers' action.

Concerned mother Karen Hawthorne said children needed to return to school as soon as possible.

"We're fully in support of the teachers, but our kids are doing exams in another few weeks.

"Are they going to allow these children to have time to do their exams? Or to catch up with the exams if their grades are down?

"Our kids are sitting at home all day on their own and they need to be back into school," said Ms Hawthorne.

(PR)