TEACHERS and school headteachers indisputably have a right, like any other employee, to take industrial action against their employer.

What they must avoid, though, is taking a truculent attitude that causes any more uncertainty and anguish for parents and children over the potential closure of schools next Wednesday.

It is almost inevitable there will be widespread disruption to the vast majority of schools next week.

But, as of last night, there was very little information about which ones would be affected, and how badly.

With previous actions information has not even been available the day before a strike as to what effect there will be. That is just unacceptable this time around.

Parents will face having to take the day off or arrange alternative care for their children and that cannot be done at the last minute.

We call on teachers and heads not to use parents and children as political footballs in this dispute by keeping their intentions close to their chest.

They should realise the widespread closure of schools will not be popular and so anything they can do to mitigate that bad feeling is needed.

They must remember the target of their anger is the Government and not let parents bear the brunt of this dispute.