SCHOOLS in Fife are preparing to shut as the latest round of industrial action gets underway.

The closures are part of an ongoing pay dispute between teaching unions and the Scottish Government.

And pupils in Dunfermline will miss out on more time in education than their counterparts in other areas after it was announced that education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville's constituency would be targeted with additional strike days.

Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS, last week rejected the latest pay off from the Scottish Government and COSLA, saying that the six per cent hike offered was insufficient while inflation was over 10 per cent.

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Dunfermline is one of five regions to face an extra six days of school closures on February 22, 23 and 24 and March 7, 8 and 9.

The following primary schools will therefore be closed on the above dates:

Bellyeoman Primary School, Blairhall Primary School, Cairneyhill Primary School, Canmore Primary School, Carnegie Primary School, Carnock Primary School, Commercial Primary School, Crossford Primary School, Culross Primary School, Duloch Primary School, Holy Name R C Primary School, Inzievar Primary School,

Limekilns Primary School, Lynburn Primary School, Masterton Primary School, McLean Primary School, Milesmark Primary School, Pitreavie Primary School, Pittencrieff Primary School, Saline Primary School, St Leonard's Primary School, St Margaret's Primary School, St Serf's R C Primary School, Torryburn Primary School, Touch Primary School, Townhill Primary School and Tulliallan Primary School.

This also applies to Dunfermline High School, Queen Anne High School, St Columba's RC High School and Woodmill High School.

READ MORE: Teacher strikes to go ahead as latest pay offer is rejected

Secondary schools will contact parents parents directly to advise if any learning opportunities can be offered to pupils in school on the identified dates.

In a letter released by the local authority, Carrie Lindsay, Fife Council's executive director of education and children’s services, said: "This action will create significant disruption to our education settings.

"Once again, we won’t know in advance how many of our teachers will join the planned strike action.

"However, most union members have taken part in the previous days of industrial action, so we expect a continued high level of participation.

She continued: "With regards to the six days of targeted action, the above schools are currently reviewing the staffing position and will contact you directly to advise if any learning opportunities can be offered in school during the dates identified.

"Any opportunity is most likely to be for targeted groups of young people but is unlikely to be available for any one targeted group for all three days.

"Activities for young people who attend the departments of additional support will be offered over the three days."

Online learning services may be provided by teachers working on these dates.

All Fife primary, secondary,and special schools - including those previously listed and associated nursery classes, pupil support classes, and pupil support centres - will close on Tuesday, February 28, and Wednesday, March 1 due to national strike action.

However, several exceptions have been highlighted.

Beanstalk Family Nurture Centre and Halbeath Nursery will remain open to children on all eight days and Calaiswood School will be open to pupils during the six targeted strike days but closed February 28 and March 1.

Nursery classes open on targeted days are:

Bellyeoman Primary School Nursery, Carnegie Primary School Nursery, Duloch Primary School Nursery, Inzievar Primary School Nursery, Limekilns Primary School Nursery, Lynburn Primary School Nursery, McLean Primary School Nursery, Pitreavie Primary School Nursery, Pittencrieff Primary School Nursery, Saline Primary School Nursery, St Leonard's Primary School Nursery, St Serf's R C Primary School Nursery and Torryburn Primary School Nursery.

Nursery classes closed for all eight days are:

Blairhall Primary School Nursery, Cairneyhill Primary School Nursery, Crossford Primary School Nursery, St Margaret's Primary School Nursery, Touch Primary School Nursery, Townhill Primary School Nursery, Tulliallan Primary School Nursery.

Ms Lindsay added: "I know this will be challenging or inconvenient for many families.

"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 continue to ask for your patience and understanding."

A direct payment for school meals, covering days of industrial action, will be made into the bank account of a parent or carer where children are registered for free school meals.

Further information will be provided by individual schools, however, lunches will be made available for young people and families in on February 22, 23, and 24 at normal lunchtime.