Thousands of Queensland teachers will walk off the job today for the first time in 15 years, with parents urged to keep their children at home.

The strike action by 48,000 teachers will impact all of Queensland’s 1266 state schools and 560,000 students.

The education department says schools will be open and students will be safe and supervised, but services such as excursions, tuckshop, and after-school care will be managed on a school-by-school basis.

Principals were expected to inform parents about the changes in the lead-up to today’s strike.

The Queensland Teachers Union (QTU) has rejected an offer of an eight per cent pay rise over three years instead demanding the government address the teacher shortage and boost workplace safety.

“Make no mistake, this is not a teachers’ pay issue – this is a whole of community issue – ensuring enough qualified people are in our schools teaching and guiding students,” QTU president Cresta Richardson said.

“The teacher shortage crisis is real and at breaking point.”

Teachers will rally at 34 locations across the state including Brisbane’s Southbank Convention Centre, where teachers will rally before marching across the Victoria Bridge to state parliament.

The Queensland Council of Unions is urging parents to show their support for teachers by keeping their children at home.