School closures in Scotland confirmed as teachers set to walk out on strike

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Schools across Scotland will close after last-ditch talks to avoid a teachers' strike ended without agreement.Primary schools across all 32 local authority areas will close on Tuesday with secondary schools set to close on Wednesday.Teaching unions met with Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Education Secretary, earlier today but no new pay offer was tabled.Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), described the outcome as "disappointing though not surprising".The union is demanding a 10 per cent pay rise for teachers but SNP ministers have insisted such a deal is "unaffordable".Bradley said: "The union side remains willing to talk, at any time, with a view to reaching a resolution to this dispute."While it is now too late to halt this week's strike action in schools, we hope that fresh talks may take place later this week to advance discussions towards an improved offer."Only a significantly improved offer from the Scottish Government and COSLA can bring an end to this dispute."A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "While there was a shared understanding that today’s talks were focussed on examining options for compromise, rather than tabling a new offer, dialogue was constructive."The Scottish Government continues to urge teaching unions to reconsider their plans for industrial action while talks are ongoing."Strikes in our schools are in no one’s interest – including for pupils, parents and carers who have already had to deal with significant disruption over the past three years."We value our teaching workforce and recognise the vital importance of an agreement on pay, but we cannot escape the unprecedented pressures facing Scotland's budget."While we have been clear that a 10% pay