ATL strike 'will cause disruption for pupils'

School children who may use e-learning courses as part of their development could see some disruption to their education if strike action takes place, an expert has claimed.

According to Martin Johnson, deputy general secretary for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), many institutions will close while protests take place.

His comments emerge after 83 per cent of education staff voted in favour of a strike following the government's proposals to increase the age of retirement.

Mr Johnson claimed that short-term disruption caused to the routines of pupils would have an overall benefit in the long run.

He added: "Members who never thought in their lives that they were the striking kind have decided that one day's disruption is preferable to long-term damage to the school system."

Of the 27,563 ATL members who voted in the recent ballot, 4,653 were opposed to strike action, which was proposed as a result of plans to increase teachers' pension contributions by 50 per cent.