More than 160 public schools, preschools in South Australia to close in strike action

More than 160 preschools and public schools across South Australia are set to close today as teachers strike for better pay and conditions.

The South Australian Education Union has planned to strike today after 80 per cent of members voted in favour of industrial action for the first time since 2019.

How many schools will be impacted in South Australia?

There will be 167 public schools and preschools closed.

An additional 152 public schools and preschools will be open in various capacities, including some running reduced programs for students.

There will be 608 schools operating as usual.

What are teachers striking for?

The union said failed negotiations with the government have been underway for nine months.

The union wants an 8.6 per cent pay rise in the new enterprise agreement with the government, followed by a 5.5 per cent increase in the two years after.

It also wants a support officer in every classroom.

There are also calls for teachers to have more time to complete admin work.

After a number of meetings since the union agreed on industrial action about 5pm on Tuesday, union branch president Andrew Gohl said there had been “some understanding” from the government about the pressures on the workforce.

“At the moment there’s still an issue around workloads and there’s still an issue around pay and a number of other matters,” Gohl said.

What has the government of South Australia said?

The South Australian government offered a 3 per cent pay increase per year over three years, but the union said that doesn’t “come close to supporting a workforce at breaking point”.

Education Minister Blair Boyer made it clear the government doesn’t want teachers to strike.

“We are negotiating in good faith,” he said.

“Do I want to see this industrial action go ahead? Absolutely not. I’m also the father of three daughters in the public system. I’m not crying poorer as the minister, but we’ll have to deal with that disruption.

“I know what it is like for families and I would like to see it avoided,” he said.

“It doesn’t mean we’re just going to agree with the terms of the union. That wouldn’t be the wise thing to do, we need to come to an agreement.

“I think we are moving in a positive direction.”

What will happen to students if schools are closed?

Boyer said parents needed to plan for the industrial action tomorrow and make arrangements for students who would not have school.

However, he said the government was working with schools that were closed to ensure children who turned up for class were looked after.

“If there are one or two students who are dropped off unexpectedly there will be someone at every site in South Australia to make sure that we can care for those or get back in touch with the parents,” he added.

With Thanks Reference to: https://www.9news.com.au/national/south-australia-teacher-strikes-public-schools-preschools-impacted-explainer/297680fd-e93c-456e-804c-c22a34897ab9