PUP leader Dawn Purvis MLA is surprised at the Minister for Education’s call this morning for NIPSA to withdraw strike action.

Ms. Purvis said, “Ms. Ruane has totally underestimated the depth of feeling amongst Classroom Assistants regarding this dispute, especially those working with special needs children”.

“Classroom Assistants deliberated long and hard before concluding that strike action was the only option left open to them.  They do not want to be on the picket lines; they want to be inside the classroom working with the children they care about.  They play a crucial role and the closure of so many schools today show just how invaluable they are.”

She continued, “After speaking to some of the parents and children last week directly affected by this dispute I would urge all those parents to write to the Minister to make her aware of how the strike is effecting them and their children’s educational development and also how vital Classroom Assistants are.”

“It is important that the Minister listens to the needs of parents and children by working to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible”.