PARENTS have reacted with concern to threats by teachers to strike over the implementation of Scotland's new school curriculum.

The Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC) said families were already anxious over the roll-out of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and did not support strikes.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government pledged to continue working with teaching unions.

Yesterday, it was revealed the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union is to discuss industrial action at its annual general meeting in Perth this week.

A motion from the Glasgow branch calls on the EIS ruling council to prepare a campaign of action "including strike action" to be in place by December "in opposition to the increased workload" associated with CfE.

Any such move would throw the roll-out of the new curriculum into turmoil as it is reliant on the goodwill of teachers.

If the motion is passed it will also put the union at loggerheads with Education Secretary Michael Russell, who is speaking at the body's meeting on Saturday.

Eileen Prior, executive director of the SPTC, said: "The feedback we receive from parents is generally that, while they often have sympathy with the issues raised by teachers, they are not supportive of strike action because of the disruption to their children's and their own lives.

"Concerns are heightened at the moment in relation to the curriculum and the new qualifications: all eyes are on what is happening in school and parents will be concerned this proposal for strike action is on the table."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We take support for teachers very seriously – as recently demonstrated by the production of a range of support materials and events for teachers on the new qualifications.

"Excessive paperwork is not acceptable and there is no good reason for it to happen. We will continue to work with teachers' representatives and councils to monitor issues and to ensure CfE is implemented in the best way for learners."

The motion follows a number of national surveys by the EIS highlighting workload as the key issue of concern for school staff.

Other motions centre on council attempts to remove qualified teachers from nursery schools, the shortage of supply staff and the introduction of a compulsory question on Scottish texts in the Higher English exam.

The EIS will also discuss holding a survey on discipline in schools, the threat to pensions and the impact of council cuts.