Smith: SNP must abolish Concordat and reform local authority education structure

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) is to debate taking industrial action over a pay deal which has already been accepted by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS).

Liz Smith MSP, Scottish Conservative Education Spokesperson, said:

"This is a stark warning for the SNP and Michael Russell. The last thing Scotland needs right now is a classroom war between the SNP Government and our teachers.

"Scottish Conservatives remain very strongly against any form of industrial action being taken by the teaching unions since this does untold damage to our pupils' education, but neither can we ignore the very real concerns of teachers.

"Quite rightly, these are deep-seated concerns about many aspects of teachers' pay and conditions, most especially those which affect supply teachers, part-time teachers and probationers. There is also growing bitterness about the effects of the Concordat which was in place in the last four years. This meant local authorities were locked into commitments they couldn't deliver and resources were diverted away from teachers.

"It is time for the SNP to admit that the present local authority structure isn't working and neither is the Concordat. We need a root and branch reform of school management and an end to the outdated workforce planning regime, which has been a disaster for teachers across Scotland.

"Headteachers need to be given far more say when it comes to teacher recruitment and training - something flagged up by the Donaldson Report - and there needs to be much greater flexibility in the teaching labour market. No amount of sticking plaster will be sufficient to patch up the existing system."

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