TEACHING staff said they felt "devalued" by the Scottish Government as they took to Haddington’s Court Street in protest today as strike action closed primary schools throughout the country.

The strikes involve members of the EIS, NASUWT, Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) and the Association of Headteachers and Deputes (AHDS) unions.

A five per cent pay increase has been rejected with members arguing for 10 per cent. The latest offer includes rises of up to 6.85 per cent for the lowest-paid staff.

Almost every school in Scotland is expected to close as a result of the strikes.

East Lothian Council confirmed they expected strikes to take place today (January 10), tomorrow (January 11) and Monday (January 16).

Today, all county primary schools and early learning and childcare settings are striking.

Tomorrow, all county secondary schools will be closed to mainstream young pupils, while the ASN hubs at Ross High School and Knox Academy Meadowpark will also be shut.

Finally, on Monday, all county schools and early learning and childcare settings will be closed, including those who attend ASN hubs.

EIS members gathered on Court Street in Haddington to protest where they held up signs and awaited drivers by, many of which peeped their horns in support of the protestors.

Catherine White, EIS member, said: “One of the main reasons why we are out here today is the cost of living crisis at the moment which has been nobodies fault except for the government’s. They have created this problem and we should not be being treated like this and penalised for it.

“We just have to keep fighting. None of us want to be out of the classroom but we feel we have to now.”

Louise Arnold, EIS member, was also at the protest and explained that she felt members were being devalued by the government.

She said: “We worked very hard during Covid and I think because of that there is a real feeling of being devalued and a lack of a decent pay has been a part of that.

“It is about pay but it is more about conditions and the future of the profession and we want to hand over our profession in the best way possible to a future generation, something that is workable.

“We don’t want our children to suffer as a result of this action.

“We’re working in a time where 34 per cent of children in Scotland have identified additional support needs and there are a lot of things to be fighting for here today.”

Louise added that she hoped the disruption for children was kept to a minimum and hoped the government would listen to their demands soon to avoid further action.

She said: “I think we’re trying to minimise [the impact on children] as much as possible because they are our ultimate priority so we’ve had these two days now and we’ll have a third day and then we’re hoping that the government will come to the table.”

On Friday, the Scottish Government said there was "potential scope for compromise" following a meeting with the unions.

However, local government body Cosla said there was no additional funding available for an improved pay deal.

Speaking on BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said Monday's talks were "constructive" but described the union pay demands as "simply unaffordable".

Asked whether she expected a new offer to be on the table before the end of the week, Ms Somerville said: "We'll continue discussions with the unions.

"I think the challenge that we have is we remain some distance apart on what the Scottish government and local government can afford and can put on the table from the union demand which is of course a 10 per cent increase in pay.

"We're trying very hard to have a fair and affordable package on the table but we do remain unfortunately some distance apart."

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: "It is disappointing, though not surprising, that no new offer was presented, despite some positive progress in discussions.

"The union side remains willing to talk, at any time, with a view to reaching a resolution to this dispute.

"While it is now too late to halt this week's strike action in schools, we hope that fresh talks may take place later this week to advance discussions towards an improved offer. Only a significantly improved offer from the Scottish government and Cosla can bring an end to this dispute."

EIS members will protest again in Haddington on Monday (January 16) in the same location as they continue to make their voices heard.