SCHOOLS in Fife are set to close for two days next month due to ongoing industrial action.

A letter to primary school parents from Fife Council education chief Carrie Lindsay confirmed that primary schools, including their associated nursery classes, special schools and primary pupil support centres will not open on Tuesday, January 10 and Wednesday, January 18.

Secondary schools are also set to be affected with strikes planned for Wednesday, January 11 and Wednesday, January 18.

Ms Lindsay said they had received statutory mandates from the EIS, AHDS and the NASUWT about their next planned strikes which she said would create "significant" disruption.

"Once again, we won’t know in advance how many of our teachers will join the planned strike action. However, we do know that most union members voted in favour of action and most took part in the industrial action in November, so we expect a continued high level of participation," she stated.

"As you will appreciate, we cannot open our buildings to children and young people, or provide cover across all classes and subjects, without sufficient teachers and school leaders. So, even though some staff may come to work, we’re unlikely to be able to run any of the above educational facilities safely, on these days.

"Therefore, to help families plan, I am writing to advise that we have made the difficult decision to close the above shown educational establishments on Tuesday 10th January 2023 and Wednesday 18th January 2023, should there be no change in terms of the pay negotiations.

"A decision regarding any required closures of our Family Nurture Centre early years settings and Childcare Services will be confirmed as soon as possible."

Ms Lindsay said pupils will continue to have access to a wide range of online learning resources and educational games, and more senior pupils will have work and study they can continue with, on their own, at home.

"I know this may be challenging or inconvenient for many families," she added. "I fully appreciate how difficult it is for parents, carers and pupils when we must close some, or all, of our schools and I can only ask for your continued patience and understanding.

"Should the industrial action go ahead, a direct payment for school meals, covering these two days of industrial action, will be made into the bank account of a parent/carer where children are registered for free school meals (FMR). This payment will be made week commencing 9th January 2023.

"For those parents/carers who may also have a child who attends a secondary school, we have also received statutory mandates from the teaching unions planning to take industrial action. Please note the dates for the closure of secondary schools, due to teacher industrial action, are Wednesday 11th January 2023 and Wednesday 18th January 2023.

"We will update parents immediately if the dispute is resolved, plans change, or further action is notified."