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Tas schools hold emergency meetings ahead of teachers' strike

Tasmanian primary schools are holding emergency meetings to discuss funding cuts to education ahead of a strike on Thursday.

The State Government has declared Thursday a student-free day, saying schools cannot guarantee supervision.

Teachers were due to strike until 10:30am (AEDT) to protest against education budget cuts.

The Government is shedding 266 positions from the Education Department as part of its public sector cuts.

It will equate to two teachers from most Tasmanian primary and high schools, and four teachers from colleges.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said he was not prepared to compromise student safety and he lashed out at the Australian Education Union.

"They have caused this situation, they have had three months to consider what is a very sensible offer for a pay freeze," he said.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said public sector employees who stopped work would not be paid for the time they were not on the job.

The Education Union's Terry Polglase said the student-free day was not necessary and was unfair on parents.

"We provided parents and schools with two weeks' notification for them to alter their arrangements regarding care for their children for two hours, and with two days' notice a minister comes out and says to working families 'find support for your children for the full day'," he said.

"I just think this Government is bereft of ideas and understanding about what is actually going on here.

"The Northern Territory, for example, had six or seven stop-work meetings last year. Now does that mean we're going to have six or seven student free days, it's bizarre."

School anger as programs cuts considered

Schools around the state are beginning to hold crisis meetings as they try to work out how to respond to the cuts.

Some are considering reducing arts and sports programs.

The School Association from Landsdowne Crescent Primary in West Hobart has labelled the cuts an insult to the professionalism and compassion of teaching staff.

It has written to Premier Will Hodgman and Mr Rockliff describing cuts to the sector as incredibly short-sighted.

As well as the loss of in-class support for teachers and language classes for younger children, an award-winning leadership program will be cut along with all performing arts education, except basic music.

Taroona Primary will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday night.

Stefan Stimson from Taroona's School Association said the school was having to consider larger classes and the loss of some programs.

He said morale amongst teachers was very low.

"It can only affect the mental health and stress on the staff members but it filters down onto the children as well," he said.