Schools going down the pan

Blocked loos and vermin fears as principals hit out

- BY OWEN CONLON

THE strike by school secretaries and caretakers has resulted in overflowing bins and blocked toilets after just one week, principals warned yesterday.

The National Principals' Forum (NPF) which represents primary headmasters and headmistresses, said its members are "under immense strain, left to carry the workload of striking staff, often without clear guidance or support from their representative bodies or the Department of Education".

Around 2,600 school secretaries and caretakers began indefinite strike action last Thursday, demanding access to public sector pensions and other entitlements.