Political parties must put tackling excessive teacher workload and the cuts to pay and working conditions at the heart of their manifestos in the run-up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections, teachers attending the NASUWT Annual Conference have warned.

The NASUWT is the fastest growing teachers’ union in Scotland and the call comes as voters prepare to go to the polls for the Scottish Government elections in May.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“In the last five years teachers have seen their pay cut, pensions plundered and workload increase.

“They have faced the turmoil of major curriculum change introduced. They now face yet more change and uncertainty with the introduction of the National Improvement Framework which heralds radical changes to the education system.

“The NASUWT shares the aspiration of narrowing the attainment gap, which is at the heart of the National Improvement Framework, but this aim will only be achieved if the teaching profession has the capacity and resources to focus on supporting every child and young person to achieve their potential.

“Inevitably the cracks in the system are starting to emerge. Some areas are struggling to fill vacancies or recruit supply teachers. More and more teachers are seriously considering leaving the profession.

“Before the deep cracks become chasms politicians must act. Teachers will be looking for firm commitments that there will be real change for the better after the election.”

Jane Peckham, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said:

 “As we move towards the Holyrood elections, teachers will be looking to political parties to recognise that teachers are facing an untenable situation and commit to tangible and effective action to ensure teachers have the support they need to continue providing world-class education.”