Government Sets out Plan for Minimum Level of School Service During Strikes

The government has set out minimum levels of service in schools during strikes by teachers after a year in which 25 million days were lost by industrial action. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Keeping children in school is my number one priority. Last year’s school strikes were some of the most disruptive on record for children and parents, with 25 million cumulative days lost, alongside the strike action that badly affected students in colleges and universities.” “We cannot afford a repeat of that disruption, particularly as young people continue to catch up from the pandemic.” On Tuesday, the government launched a consultation—which will end in January—on minimum service levels in England and Wales, including the use of rotas for strikes lasting five days or more....