The key strands of our Better Deal for Scotland’s Teachers campaign are wellbeing, workload and pay.
Teacher wellbeing is often largely impacted by pupil behaviour and we have a separate page with a range of advice on how members and activists can secure a Better Deal on Behaviour.
On workload, NASUWT continues to pressurise the Scottish Government and COSLA to progress the promised reduction in class contact time, which was part of the SNP manifesto for the last Scottish Parliament elections and was included in the Programme for Government for this Parliament. Regrettably, this process has been notable for its ongoing delays and obfuscation. NASUWT members have clearly expressed their frustration and anger about this in a recent survey and the Union expects concrete action to be taken soon if matters are not to escalate.
We have also highlighted with the Cabinet Secretary and various opposition politicians some of the unnecessary bureaucracy in schools around forward planning, assessment, monitoring/tracking, school improvement plans and the dual presentation of candidates at National 4/5 and have sought their support in encouraging local authorities and schools to address this, thereby reducing teacher workload.
On pay, despite a shift in the ‘pay year’ for teachers (which begins on 1 August), once again, there has been a failure to agree a pay settlement that can be implemented in time. We are hopeful that, having rejected a 3% offer in March of this year, we will be presented with a revised and improved offer for teachers early in the new term.
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