Commenting on the School Governance Review, announced today by the Education Minister, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the fastest growing teachers’ union in Scotland, said:
 
“The NASUWT represents teachers and school leaders who need to be able to exercise their professional judgement in the interests of the children and young people they teach.
 
“NASUWT and its members, however,  recognise that they are delivering an important public service which must ensure equality for all children and young people.
 
“A fit for purpose school governance system operating in a clear national framework is critical to ensuring high-quality education provision.
 
“It will be important to ensure that the increased freedoms and empowerment being considered by the Scottish Government maintain the values and ethos of public services, which includes local democratic accountability.
 
“The NASUWT, therefore, welcomes the clear statement and commitment to a publicly owned and run non-selective comprehensive education system which is a mutual, not a market, system. 
 
“The NASUWT believes that these are important proposals meriting detailed consideration and response.”
 
Jane Peckham, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said:
 
“Ministers are engaged in an ambitious programme of change in the education system.
 
“It is vitally important that any change is for the better and so identifying what works well and building on the many strengths of our education system is essential.”