Almost 100 schools across Western Australia will close next week as the state's teachers union stage another pre-election strike, which the government is labelling "unlawful and unwarranted".
Four days out from next weekend's re-run WA senate election, the teachers union and public sector representing education assistants has called a strike to protest cuts to education budgets.
Education minister Peter Collier revealed that more than 50 primary and over 20 high schools will close next Tuesday.
Mr Collier has angrily claimed the strike is politically motivated - recalling the last teacher's strike in WA was held in the days before September's federal election, with a rally on the steps of parliament fronted by a bullhorn-wielding opposition leader Bill Shorten.
"That is no coincedence. It is a shame that they are using our children, our students, for political purposes," Mr Collier said.
He said teachers who participate in the strike won't get paid for that day, and tipped the union action would end after the election on April 5.
Union leaders claim the WA government has cut $180 million from the education budget this financial year and 600 full-time equivalent teaching positions.
United Voice secretary Carolyn Smith previously flagged the action, saying: "It is no accident that we have chosen April Fools' Day".
"The Premier (Colin Barnett) is only fooling himself by claiming his cuts won't hurt children's education in this state," she said.
The education department said parents concerned about the impact of the industrial action were advised to contact school principals directly.
