The lives of workers with children who attend the 8,000 schools where teachers are on strike today could be disrupted as teachers walk out for the first time in 21 years.

While members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) will be taking part in more than 50 rallies across England, meaning about a third of all schools will be closed or partially closed, parents are being warned of possible disruptions.

It is important parents know where they stand and whether they need to make arrangements for childcare or work as soon as possible, says schools minister Jim Knight.

Teachers are angry over the Governments offer of a 2.45% pay rise, and are instead demanding a 4.1% increase which they say is in line with the Retail Price Index measurement of inflation.

Real term pay cuts hit youngest teachers the hardest, says Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the NUT. It saps morale and causes problems of recruitment, retention and teacher shortages. There has been a significant decline in applications for post graduate teacher training. You cannot run a world-class education system if teaching doesnt attract enough graduates.

Other teachers unions are not supporting the strike.

Enter your main article text here. You may paste from Word by using the 3rd icon in on the 2nd row.