Assault on teacher causes strike.

[Christopher]

A pupil at Movilla High School assaulted a teacher in May. This week the pupils
at the school have missed three days of classes due to strike action by twenty
five teachers. The teachers' union said their members voted to strike after they
weren't paid when they refused to teach the pupil involved in the assault.
Talks will be taking place tomorrow in an attempt to resolve the situation.
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Assault row teacher speaks out as school strike continues

By Kathryn Torney and Emily Moulton
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
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The teacher at the centre of strike action at a Co Down school today spoke out about the assault which sparked the high-profile walkout by him and his colleagues.

The NASUWT teaching union still refuses to disclose exactly what happened during the incident in May, but the teacher attacked by the young male pupil said today he was “horrified by what happened�.

He asked not to be identified, but said: “I am concerned about the impact this is having on all of the pupils.

“I hope the situation is sorted out as quickly as possible.�

Pupils at Movilla High School in Newtownards missed a second day of classes today as the strike action by 25 teachers continued.

The union said members voted to strike after not being paid when they refused to teach the pupil involved in the assault.

Fred Brown, NASUWT executive member, confirmed today that the union would not enter into talks with the South Eastern Education and Library Board through the Labour Relations Agency unless two preconditions were met — that the teachers’ full pay is reinstated and the boy is taught by someone other than the union members. However, the SEELB said it is “unable to comply with the stated preconditions�.

Mr Brown said: “We are not happy that we have been pushed into strike action.

“However, the morale of the teachers is high and we have had a lot of support from the general public.�

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has also confirmed that it is currently balloting its 10 members at the Co Down school on ‘refusal to teach' action. The pupils were sent home early yesterday morning with a letter saying they should not attend school again until further notice.

Seamus Searson, Northern Ireland organiser of the teachers' union, said: “Our members want to continue teaching their classes, but this particular pupil needs a new start with specialised support,� he said.

“Clearly we cannot tolerate a situation where our members are not paid for the work they are doing, and where, in effect, all the pupils are being punished for the behaviour of one.�

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley, has offered to act as a mediator between the teachers and their employer.

The SEELB said the incident was “appropriately and proportionately dealt with� by the board of governors with the pupil returning to school after serving a period of 10 days suspension.

“The SEELB and the board of governors consider the health and safety of pupils and staff to be a very important and serious matter and would not have returned the pupil to the school if such a course of action presented a serious risk,� a statement from the board said.

[Ronski]

Some interesting reading but are they something wrong with your computer as its posted three times !!!!!!!

I noticed that you have an active link for this post is that allowed im sure its not ?

[Gandalf]

wheres that basel bouy when you need him lol

[Ronski]

That Basel Bouy is sunning himself again lol lucky him his life is a holiday lucky bugger

[BASEL]

i'm listening...................................BOO

[BASEL]

i was hoping chris would remove the links himself, but we will give him another hour and i will remove them myself