Scotland's largest teaching union has issued a powerful call for a transformative "brighter future" for the nation's education system, unveiling a comprehensive manifesto ahead of the pivotal Scottish Parliament elections this year.
Core Demands for Systemic Change
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has laid out a series of ambitious policy proposals designed to fundamentally reshape the educational landscape. Central to their demands is a strict cap on class sizes, advocating for a maximum of twenty pupils per classroom to enhance individual attention and learning outcomes.
Furthermore, the union is pushing for a significant reduction in teacher workload, proposing that class contact time be limited to no more than twenty hours per week. This measure aims to allow educators more time for planning, assessment, and professional development.
Welfare and Governance Reforms
In a bold move for pupil welfare, the EIS manifesto insists on the provision of free school meals for all students, regardless of background, arguing that proper nutrition is foundational to effective learning. The union has also called for a substantial overhaul of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), seeking to revert its structure and function to an earlier, presumably more favourable, model from 2012 or even 2007.
A critical pillar of the manifesto is the urgent call for increased staffing and dedicated resources for pupils with additional support needs, highlighting a current gap in provision that the union believes must be addressed to ensure equitable education for all.
Union Leadership Advocates for Investment
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley emphasised the manifesto's role in the democratic process, stating, "The EIS is proud to publish its education manifesto for the Scottish Parliament elections, and to play its part in the democratic process." She urged the union's members to scrutinise political commitments closely and to exercise their right to vote in what she described as a "hugely important election."
Bradley framed the proposed changes not as a cost, but as a vital investment. "There are, of course, costs involved in properly funding education, but this should be seen as an investment in our young people and in the future of our country and our society," she asserted. She pointed to independent research, suggesting the financial implications are "entirely manageable" for a nation like Scotland, framing the next government's approach as a clear political choice.
Research Backs Ambitious Proposals
The union's proposals are substantiated by research conducted by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Scotland. Dave Hawkey, a senior research fellow at IPPR Scotland, supported the union's stance, noting, "Investment in education strengthens the foundations for the future, helping our young people develop and look forward to prosperous lives."
Hawkey acknowledged that while the estimated costs of implementing such policies are "not insignificant," international evidence strongly indicates that the long-term societal and economic benefits would likely outweigh the initial financial outlay, enhancing wellbeing for both staff and students.
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment on the union's far-reaching demands, which set a high bar for educational policy in the upcoming electoral debate.
