Teachers in Scotland are set to vote on potential strike action in response to ongoing disputes over excessive workloads and class contact time. The NASUWT union has initiated a ballot, accusing the Scottish Government of neglecting its commitment to reduce weekly class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours. This reduction was a key promise in the Scottish National Party (SNP) election manifesto and is viewed by the union as essential for providing teachers with adequate time for marking and lesson preparation.
The NASUWT warns that delays in implementing this promise are contributing to a crisis in teacher morale, with many educators feeling “burnt out and overwhelmed.” The ballot will ask members to vote on both strike action and other forms of industrial action, with voting scheduled to close on January 14, 2024. The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) is also preparing to ballot its members on similar issues regarding workloads and contact time.
Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT, expressed frustration over the lack of progress, stating, “Ministers have had nearly five years to implement their promise to the profession on class contact time, but all that has been achieved is delay and prevarication while teachers’ workloads have crept higher and higher.” He emphasized that the decision to ballot for industrial action is a necessary step towards improving working conditions for teachers.
Mike Corbett, NASUWT National Official for Scotland, highlighted the importance of addressing workload concerns as a means to retain teachers and ensure effective education delivery. He noted, “The patience of teachers has run out. If ministers and employers refuse to act on the workload crisis which continues to affect our members day in, day out, we will.”
In response to the unions’ concerns, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government stated that reducing class contact time is intended to enhance the support teachers receive, thereby improving educational outcomes for students. The government affirmed its commitment to work collaboratively with teaching unions and COSLA to expedite the implementation of reduced class contact time.
The situation highlights a significant tension between the government’s promises and the realities faced by educators, as they navigate increasing pressures in their profession. The outcome of the upcoming ballots may shape the future of teaching conditions in Scotland, reflecting broader concerns about workload and retention in the education sector.
