SCHOOLS across the region are closed today as teachers go on strike over reductions to education funding.

The National Union of Teachers voted by more than nine to one in favour of the action, which has seen schools closed or running with reduced timetables.

In Darlington, NUT members held an event at the Crown Street library between 10am and 11.30am, where they read to children and talked to parents about the strike.

Darlington teacher Zoe Mathers said: “Teachers want people to know about the education crisis facing English schools.”

More than 200 teachers have congregated in Durham Market Place for a rally to protest against what they say is inadequate funding for education.

Darlington and Stockton Times:
Members of the NUT and their families in Durham Market Square on Tuesday

Armed with banners and flags, NUT members flocked to Durham from across the region to listen to teachers share their experiences of dwindling resources.

The NUT says it is concerned about proposals to reduce funding for education and its consequences for children’s learning and teachers’ terms and conditions.

Mike McDonald, NUT regional secretary said: “Teachers go into the profession to make a difference to children’s lives and to develop in them a love of learning.

“No teacher takes strike action lightly. Inadequate levels of funding, however, are having a negative effect on both children and teachers that cannot go unaddressed.

“According to the respected Institute of Fiscal Studies, schools are facing the worst funding cuts since the 1970s. This is impacting heavily on the choices and decisions that head teachers in the North East and around the country have to make.”

According to the NUT funding per pupil is falling with inflation while schools had to pay increased National Insurance and pension contributions for teachers, amounting to a five per cent charge on pay bills.

Darlington and Stockton Times:
Jenny Veitch speaking at the rally in Durham today. Picture: RACHEL CONNER

Among those speaking is Jenny Veitch, from Gilling West, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, who is representing campaign group Let Our Kids be Kids.

She said: “This is not a strike about teacher pay. Teachers want the Government to increase funding to schools and education, to guarantee terms and conditions in all types of schools and for them to resume negotiations on teacher contracts to allow teachers' workload to be addressed.”

Darlington and Stockton Times:
Speaking at today's rally in Durham, teacher Bob Webb said: "I'm physically shattered. Absolutely, constantly knackered." Picture: RACHEL CONNER

An event is also planned for Grey’s Monument in Newcastle, at 2pm, where teachers will provide activities for children while talking to people about the strike.

Education secretary Nicky Morgan described the action as disappointing and said claims the government was not prioritising school funding were “disingenuous.”

Darlington and Stockton Times:
Teachers ready for the off at Durham's  NUT rally. Picture: RACHEL CONNER

She added the schools budget – of around £40 billion – had increased by £4 billion since 2011-12 and was the highest it had ever been.

She said: “I believe this action is counterproductive – it will harm children’s education, inconvenience parents and damage the profession’s reputation in the eyes of the public.”