Teachers may strike in Scotland

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said the dispute is linked to a 2021 manifesto pledge by Scottish National Party ministers to reduce teachers’ classroom contact time by 90 minutes, which the union says has not yet been fulfilled.

The union added that “some progress” has been made since the strike ballot was announced earlier this week. However, it said there is still nothing confirmed in writing from either the Scottish government or Cosla, the body representing local councils, about delivering the promised changes, BBC reports.

Negotiations between the parties are ongoing. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has said she hopes strike action can be avoided.

Cosla, however, stated that the plan would require full funding to be implemented. The organisation also said it needs assurances that giving teachers additional “non-contact time” would have a positive impact on children and young people, BBC noted.

Last month, the Scottish government approved a budget that includes a 2% increase in funding for local authorities. The EIS welcomed the move, hoping it could help support proposals to reduce teachers’ classroom contact time.