ALL schools in Fife will close for three days next week after strike action was confirmed.

Fife Council say education facilities will shut their doors on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday because of the industrial action involving non-teaching staff.

Services impacted are high schools, primary schools, special schools, nurseries, early learning and family nurture centres, additional support needs units, childcare services and the pupil support service.

READ MORE: Fresh hope that 'significantly improved' pay offer will avert school strikes

Shelagh McLean, Head of Education & Children’s Services explained: “This strike is part of wider action relating to a national dispute over pay for all council workers other than teachers, who are covered by a different pay deal.

“We appreciate how difficult it is for parents, carers and pupils when we have to close our schools, and I can only ask for their patience and understanding.

“We can’t know in advance how many of our pupil support assistants, early years officers, admin and clerical staff, janitors, catering and cleaning staff will join the planned strike action. However, we do know that most union members voted in favour of action, so we expect a high level of participation.

READ MORE: Fife: Schools set for three-day closure due to strike action

“We can’t open our buildings to children and young people, or provide support across all classes and nurseries, without these staff. So, even though some may come to work, we’re unlikely to be able to run any educational facility safely.

“Therefore, we’ve made the difficult decision to close all Fife schools over the three days. I know this may be challenging or inconvenient for many families.

“Pupil welfare remains our top priority and we’re particularly conscious of the ongoing cost of living crisis. We will make a payment to parents for children and young people registered for free school meals.

“Remote learning with teachers will be in place. Our children and young people also have access to a wide range of online learning resources and educational games.

“Of course, we’ll update parents immediately if the dispute is resolved and plans change.”

Fresh hopes had been raised that the strike could be averted after COSLA leaders put forward a last ditch offer in the hope the action would be averted.

However unions have confirmed that the revised offer was "too little too late".

Unison say the offer remained a long way from what is needed and that the vast majority of local government staff were being offered 5.5 per cent which is only 0.5 oer cent more than COSLA’s original offer made almost six months ago and rejected by UNISON members.

UNISON Scotland head of local government, Johanna Baxter said: “Strikes will proceed next week. We cannot agree to a pay offer that will result in further cuts to our members jobs and the services they provide.

"It has taken COSLA six months to send us a revised pay offer which, for the vast majority of staff is an increase of only 0.5 per cent in-year. These are not well-paid staff, they are on less than the Scottish average wage and it is simply not acceptable.

COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, said she was "extremely disappointed" with the news from UNISON.

“We have met every ask of our Trade Union colleagues throughout these negotiations and this best and final offer was made on the basis that strikes would be suspended," she said.

“It is totally unacceptable that with such a significant offer on the table that our Trade Union colleagues are putting our communities and our young people through the turmoil of strikes."