The union representing B.C. teachers is blasting a provincial government plan to give daily payouts to parents if the strike lasts into September.

B.C.'s Finance Minister Mike De Jong promised Thursday that parents of children under 13 years old will get $40 per day per child to help with daycare costs and tutoring.

He said the cash will come from the $12-million the province will save each day the teachers’ job action continues.

De Jong said he recognizes that “there are costs that accrue to parents and families” when their children are not in school.

“Parents can utilize that money to acquire tutoring for their children, they can use their money to explore other educational opportunities as they see fit. For others it'll be basic daycare,” he told reporters in Victoria.

De Jong insists this is a contingency plan only and hopes the strike will be resolved before the end of August.

But that statement is being disputed by the BC Teachers Federation, who says the announcement is a “blatant and divisive attempt to prolong disruption” in schools.

“This scheme will not help improve class sizes, increase support for children with special needs, or provide more one-on-one time for all students,” BCTF President Jim Iker said in a statement issued to media.

The union head said he hoped the province would redirect its efforts into reaching an agreement through mediation this summer.

There are currently no scheduled talks between two sides, although the BCTF says its bargaining team has been in contact with the BC Public School Employers’ Association over the last three weeks.

Parents eligible for the compensation will be able to apply online, and will be paid by cheque starting in October. It will not be retroactive for the days students were out of school in June.

The minister said safeguards are being implemented to ensure money only goes to parents who have children registered in public schools.

The strike, which started seven weeks ago, was prompted by a dispute over class sizes, composition and wages.

The province has argued that the teachers asking for more money than what other public-sector workers have received.