TENS of thousands of teachers struck for the fourth time today, saying they were more united than ever in the battle for better pay and school funding.

One National Education Union (NEU) regional leader said teachers had joined the strike who had not taken action previously because they were so infuriated at the “insulting below-inflation pay increase” proposed by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, of £1,000 this year and 4.3 per cent the next.

Inflation is still hovering above 10 per cent but Ms Keegan said the proposal was final.

More teachers and senior staff are likely to join the battle, with 23,000 members of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) to vote on strike action after rejecting the proposal.

The NASUWT teachers’ union and the National Association of Head Teachers have also rejected the proposal.

Picketing in Middlesbrough in north-east England, NEU regional secretary Beth Farhat told the Morning Star: “Picket lines here today have been even stronger than they were before. 

“You also have other unions like ASCL balloting on national strike action — for I think the first time ever.”

Yesterday’s 24-hour stoppage by the NEU will be followed by another one-day strike on Tuesday next week and the union is expected to announce more strikes during the summer term.

The NEU said arrangements had been put in place to ensure that students’ A-level examinations are not affected.

Commenting on today’s strike in England by NEU teacher members in schools and sixth form colleges, NEU joint general secretaries Kevin Courtney and Dr Mary Bousted said: “The fact that members are again reluctantly having to take strike action symbolises the complete failure by the government to make a serious and credible pay and funding offer to the profession.

“The government is acting in a fit of pique and has spent the whole of April doing nothing about our dispute. 98 per cent of NEU members rejected the pay and funding offer as ‘insulting’ — on a two-thirds turnout.

“Other unions have followed suit, resulting in the whole profession speaking with one voice.” 

Teachers’ rallies are taking place in many centres today including in Leeds and Doncaster.