A dispute between teachers and the board of governors of a secondary school in Co Antrim escalated today with the majority of teachers starting all out strike action.
A total of 53 teachers are striking at Laurelhill Community College over the treatment of a teacher who was suspended following sexual abuse claims made by a then 12-year-old pupil over two years ago. The trial collapsed, however, and he was cleared of the charge.
The male teacher is a member of the National Association of School Masters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT).
Earlier this week, the chief executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) in Northern Ireland, Mr Jackie Fitzsimons, said the actions of NASUWT were "unjustified" and "appear to be an attempt to divert attention away from the real issue". The union and the SEELB dispute the facts of the court case.
NASUWT also today refuted claims by the South Eastern Education and Library Board that the union is unwilling to engage in talks to resolve the dispute quickly.
The union said senior NASUWT officials have engaged in conciliation talks at the Labour Relations Agency and further talks with the chief Executive of the SEELB.
Both sides have expressed concern that educational entitlement to 969 pupils at the school is being denied.
Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Nigel Williams has called on the NASUWT to reconsider its action at the Lisburn school.
Mr Williams said he is concerned about the affects on the pupil at the centre of the row. "We must remember that an individual child is at the centre of this dispute - a dispute that has now spilled into a strike and extensive media coverage."