STRIKING teacher unions have been blasted for creating an unofficial half-term with the number of days kids are off school.
NEU members are walking out again on Thursday, as well as Tuesday next week.
With Bank Holiday Monday, it means kids will get one day of proper lessons in that time.
It comes after the NEU rejected the latest pay offer.
Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith, a former headteacher, said: “Once again, the NEU has shown they care more about time off than keeping schools open.
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“This week’s strikes are nothing but a de facto half term.
“The NEU should get off the picket lines, around the negotiation table and back in classrooms.”
Talks are in deadlock as ministers refuse to increase their five per cent pay offer for next year on top of a £1,000 one-off sum.
An NEU strike is also scheduled for three days in the summer term, with three other unions, including headteachers, balloting on industrial action.
Militant union chief Mary Bousted called for more talks at the weekend, saying: “Let’s negotiate so we don’t have to take strike action on Thursday.”
Plans have been drawn up to keep a small number of teachers in schools to allow Year 11 and 13 pupils sitting exams to revise.
PM Rishi Sunak’s spokesman called the strikes “regrettable” and added: “We will continue to call on the education unions to step back and work with us on finding a way forward.”