Northern Ireland teacher strikes: Further disruption expected in schools

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Image caption, Teachers in Northern Ireland are going on strike for half a day today

Most schools in Northern Ireland are expected to be closed until midday as teachers will be on strike.

Teachers from five unions - which are groups of workers - will be taking part in the half-day strike action which is happening today because of a row over pay.

Striking is when a group of workers come together and agree not to work, to protest against something they think is unfair at work. They do this with the aim of making the people in charge listen to them.

The half-day strike will be followed by another four days of industrial action which are planned for after Christmas.

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Image caption, Has your school been disrupted by strikes this year? Let us know in the comments

Why are teachers on strike in Northern Ireland?

Teachers in Northern Ireland have already been on strike earlier this year over the same issue - how much they are paid. This is sometimes called a pay "dispute" - which is another word for a disagreement.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Teachers went on strike in April this year because of pay

This dispute has been going on for 18 months.

This strike day is significant because it will be only the second time that headteachers from one of the unions have been on strike in the past 126 years.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) previously joined four other unions in a full-day walkout in April.

In February 2022, unions rejected a pay offer from employers for the years 2021-2023, describing it as "inadequate".

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, There was recent disruption in schools as members of non-teaching staff, like dinner staff, went on strike

Cuts to Northern Ireland's education budget means it is not clear how much money is available to make teachers a pay offer the unions would accept.

However the Department of Education has previously said that unions' demands are "unaffordable".

"The department acknowledges the pay concerns of the teachers' unions," a spokesperson said.

Will my school be closed?

Your school will let your parent or guardian know if there's going to be major disruption, for example if your lessons are going to be cancelled or there is no school that day.