 TEACHERS and parents will be on strike this Tuesday and schools across the country will shut for the day in protest over funding cuts in State education.
Parents of 7.5 million students at secondary and primary school have been asked not to take their kids to class that day.
Some teachers intend to go as far as organising a lock-in overnight on Monday, and most participating centres will hang out banners and signs in green.
Those children who do go to school will be asked to wear green in support of the protest, however in most cases there will be little point in kids turning up to class since their teachers will not be there.
Spanish law stipulates that where public sector workers go on strike, pre-established 'minimum services' must continue to be available.
Union representatives say these are highly 'restrictive' from the strikers' point of view, and that all schools will technically be open as usual.
Head teachers and key board members will still be on site, meaning parents can still exercise their right to send their children to school if they wish, but certain classes may be cancelled if the strike is well supported.
The central government – backed by many of the regional governments – intends to cut funding to State education by 21 per cent in order to save 3,000 million euros in 2012.
This will mean massive class sizes, no cover for teachers who are off sick, and many supply teachers propping up the dole queue.
Anyone who is unsure whether or not to take their children to school on Tuesday should make enquiries with the centre concerned.
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