All Highland schools and early learning settings to shut on Thursday due to planned strikes
The local authority have confirmed the move due to strike action planned for next week.
All Highland schools and early learning facilities will be shut on Thursday.
The local authority have confirmed the move due to strike action planned for next week.
Moray and Aberdeenshire Councils have already confirmed all primary and secondary schools will be closed, but early learning settings won't be affected.
Teaching Union EIS confirmed yesterday that there will be more strike dates for the new year on top of next week's walkout.
Highland Council say the supervision of young people is of "utmost importance".
A spokesperson said: "Following notification of strike action by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the Association of Head Teacher and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS) unions on Thursday 24 November 2022, Highland Council has taken the decision to close schools to pupils across Highland on this date.
"The safe supervision of children and young people is of utmost importance and, given that we anticipate significantly reduced numbers of both management and teaching staffing in schools and early learning and childcare settings, a decision has been made to close all educational establishments to pupils.
"It is hoped that a clear decision will enable parents and carers to plan ahead for the disruption expected. A letter has been sent to all parents this morning (Friday 18 November) through the usual school channels.
"All Primary Schools including local authority ELC settings will be closed to pupils, and all Secondary Schools, Special Schools and off-site provision will be closed to pupils on 24 November.
"School crossing patrols will not be in operation on this day, and school transport will not operate on this day.
"A BACS payment will be made for those children and young people entitled to a free school meal based on low income (not universal entitlement).
"While the council has been formally notified by the EIS and AHDS of their intention to strike, if there are any developments at a national level, and if strike action is averted in schools, this will be notified through the council website www.highland.gov.uk and through our social media, as well as usual school communication channels."
Moray Council confirmed their plans on shutting schools and keeping early learning centres open yesterday.
Head of Education, Vivienne Cross, said: “We appreciate parents and carers may need to make alternative childcare arrangements, which is why we want to make families aware of the closure as early as possible.
“We will, of course, update parents and carers with any further developments.”
Aberdeenshire Council are also taking the same approach as Moray Council.
A statement on their social media page said: "From the information provided to Aberdeenshire Council by the teaching unions, it will not be possible for us to safely open any of our schools on Thursday (Nov 24).
"The buildings will be closed to all pupils, and this will affect all primary and secondary schools."