Upper Clutha teachers will join about fifty thousand school and kindergarten teachers in a national strike this Thursday (March 16).

Local teachers who are members of the Post Primary Teachers Association and the Educational Institute (NZEI) have rejected the Education Ministry's offer of a $6,000 pay rise over two years.

NZEI Te Riu Roa teachers and principals and supporters based in Central Otago will meet at the Lake Wānaka Centre for a rally before marching around the town centre.

The goal is to call on the government to take action to get behind educators so they can better support the tamariki they teach, the union said.

Primary school teachers’ previous award (minimum standard for industry pay) expired at the end of June, and negotiations have been ongoing with the Ministry of Education since.

The Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) said late last year that industrial action was possible.

RNZ reported in November that teachers felt “insulted” by the offer, which represented about half the increase the teacher unions (the PPTA and the NZEI) are seeking for most teachers.

Local schools will be closing on Thursday so that teachers can attend the rally, meaning  parents and caregivers will have to arrange childcare for their children.

Hāwea Flat School board told parents the board had considered the availability of non-union teaching staff “and decided that we can’t provide normal instruction during the strike so the school will officially be closed for instruction” during the period of industrial action.

The board acknowledged the inconvenience but said no supervision could be provided during the period of the strike.

The union rally will take place at the Lake Wānaka Centre at 10am on Thursday.

PHOTO: Supplied