A rally is taking place in Bedford town centre tomorrow (Wednesday) in support of teachers taking industrial action over pay.
Dozens of schools throughout the Borough are affected by the strike action being held by the National Education Union (NEU) – from the smallest village primary schools to large secondary academies.
Alongside the strikes, rallies will be held in city and town centres throughout the UK, including outside the Salvation Army on Commercial Road in Bedford.
You can find out which schools are taking part in industrial action on the NEU website here.
It is the first of seven planned days of action as teachers ask the government for a fully-funded pay increase which at least matches inflation, as well as restoring lost pay.
Rail staff, nurses, ambulance drivers, civil servants and university staff are also taking industrial action on Wednesday (1 February).
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Teachers don’t want to strike – they want to be in the classroom teaching our pupils. But we cannot stand by and watch the biggest real-terms decline in teacher pay this century.”
A Bedford Borough Council Spokesperson said, “We expect that a number of schools will have to close or partially close, however, the exact number isn’t known and won’t be known until the morning of the proposed strike.
“We are encouraging schools to stay open where possible with prioritisation for the more vulnerable children and children of critical workers. However, if a school does not have enough staff to look after children then they are not legally able to open.
“Schools and settings have been contacting parents to advise them of any changes to school opening due to strike action. If you have not heard from your school, please get in touch with them.
“Parents and carers of children who would normally receive free school meals should speak to their school about lunch arrangements as these may vary from school to school.”
Paul McLaughlin, regional secretary of the National Education Union, Eastern region, said: “This strike should not be necessary, and we regret the adverse impact on parents and pupils. However, Government failure to act brings us to a point where members have no choice but to exercise their democratic right to make their voices heard.
“With pickets at hundreds of schools and rallies in all main centres across the region, members will demonstrate that they cannot be ignored.
“We call on this Government to put right years of wilful neglect which has left the profession in dire need. They should invest properly in our education system and stem the rapid decline in pay which has led many members in our region to either leave the profession or brought them to the brink.”
