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The results from the strike ballots conducted by two major teaching unions are expected soon, as members of the EIS and NASUWT have been voting on whether to initiate strike action amid a prolonged dispute regarding teachers’ workloads. The EIS, which is the largest teachers’ union in Scotland, will review the outcome on Thursday afternoon before making any decisions about potential industrial action. The Scottish government maintains it is committed to addressing the workload concerns raised by educators and has recently introduced proposals aimed at tackling these issues.
If the EIS proceeds with a national strike, it could result in the closure of nearly all schools across Scotland. Alongside the EIS, the SSTA and NASUWT, key classroom unions, are united in their demand to reduce the amount of time teachers spend delivering lessons to pupils. They argue that this would provide educators with additional time for lesson preparation and marking, tasks that many feel are currently being completed unpaid during personal time.
The unions are specifically calling for a reduction in “contact time” from 22.5 hours per week to 21 hours, echoing a promise made in the SNP’s 2021 manifesto. The EIS has expressed frustration over the lack of progress, stating, “Over the past four years, EIS negotiators have worked tirelessly in their attempts to push both (council umbrella body) Cosla and the Scottish government to make progress on the reduction in class contact time.” They accuse both organizations of delays and avoidance, emphasizing that any reduction in teaching hours must be allocated to workload-related tasks such as preparation and marking.
Currently, teachers in Scottish state schools have a contract that requires 35 working hours per week, combining time spent teaching with other professional duties. Reducing contact hours would free approximately 1.5 hours for these activities without necessarily changing the length of the school day. Possible adjustments could include hiring more staff or enabling primary pupils to spend additional time with assistant staff rather than their main teacher. The Scottish government, led by Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, has put forward plans that include potentially allowing teachers to spend one day a week away from classroom teaching, dedicating that time to professional tasks. Gilruth described the proposals as a “clear commitment” to support teachers and improve education outcomes by providing educators with the time, trust, and tools needed for more effective, transformative learning
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