TEACHING staff in Dunfermline and West Fife manned picket lines this week as the latest industrial action took place as part of an ongoing pay dispute.

Primary schools – and their nursery classes – special schools and primary support centres closed their doors on Tuesday while high schools and secondary pupil support centres shut yesterday (Wednesday).

Teachers have rejected a deal which would see most staff in classrooms receive a five per cent pay rise, although the lowest-earning teachers would get a 6.85 per cent increase.

Late talks on Monday failed to find a breakthrough and a further strike is planned for next Wednesday, January 18, if an agreement cannot be reached.

FIFE EIS spokesperson Graham Keir said teachers across the Kingdom had been on picket lines to express their views.

"Teachers are more and more frustrated and disappointed that there has been no further pay offer," he said.

"We conducted some research with our members and found that we have got some members having to use foodbanks and that are taking second jobs.

"They are becoming increasingly stressed about paying the bills, paying mortgages and having to take on debt in order to do their job.

"Over the course of the last 12 years, our pay has reduced by something like 20 per cent in real terms. We just cannot afford to take another five per cent pay cut."

Mr Keir expressed his frustration at the failure to reach an agreement.

"It is very worrying and disappointing to teachers," he added. "We have heard nothing from the education secretary, just silence. We are concerned absolutely for young people missing out today and on other strike days."

One Dunfermline teacher, who did not want to be named, said rising costs without a pay rise were taking their toll on teaching staff.

"It is hard because I own my own house, I am on my own and don't have anyone one to support me with the bills," she said.

"We are fighting for this case and taking the hit of the pay. It is a really hard decision. It is thinking forward to that long-term effect and hopefully we will get the 10 per cent.

"I have worked in education for eight years and have seen the effect on people. I have a good work/life balance but I know some of my colleagues have 30 kids in their class and they don't have the support.

"It is not just about the pay, it is about the conditions and support we have lost over the last 10 years through specialist teachers and support workers."

Dunfermline MSP and education secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said talks on Monday had been "constructive and helpful".

"I took the opportunity to make clear how much I value our teaching workforce and recognise the vital importance of reaching a fair and affordable settlement on pay," she said.

"We are open to considering options to resolve this dispute, through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), and potential scope for compromise.

"I recognise that any deal must be fair and affordable for all concerned, given the unprecedented pressures facing Scotland's budget.

"The SNCT will meet again on Monday to discuss options. I hope unions will reconsider their plans for industrial action while talks are ongoing.

“Strikes in our schools are in no-one’s interest – including for pupils, parents and carers who have already had to deal with significant disruption over the past three years.”