SIXTH form college teachers are set to walk out of classes today as part on an ongoing industrial dispute.
About 35 members of staff at Queen Elizabeth (QE) Sixth Form, who are members of the National Education Union (NEU), are taking part in the strike today.
Staff at the Darlington sixth form is one of 34 on strike nationally.
They are trying to secure better funding for sixth forms, which the union says has fallen by about 20 per cent in the last decade. The NEU is calling on the government to invest an extra £700 million into the sector.
NEU representative Giles Bayliss, the law course leader at QE, said: "We are campaigning for a restoration of funding levels to redress this historic imbalance and secure the future of sixth form colleges.
"It is worth highlighting that Sixth Form College teachers no longer have parity of pay with secondary school teachers and the promised funding increase to our sector will not enable employers to address this issue."
It is one of three strike days taking place between now and next month's budget day. Further action is planned for February 27 and March 10.
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