The first priority of Scotland’s new education secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, must be to end the “scandal” of temporary contracts, the country’s biggest teaching union has said.
The EIS union says that more teachers on permanent contracts are crucial to the recovery from the Covid pandemic.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said that his union “looks forward to constructive dialogue with Ms Somerville in the months and years to come” - it will be inviting her to speak at its annual general meeting next month - adding that it “already has some experience of working with Ms Somerville from her time as minister for further and higher education, and this will provide a sound base on which to build a positive working relationship”.
Background: Shirley-Anne Somerville named as new education secretary
Teaching jobs: Teachers working in supermarkets ‘to make ends meet’
Priorities: What should the new education secretary do first?
Five years: What did John Swinney achieve as education secretary?
Mr Flanagan said: “The first issue the cabinet secretary will need to address is an end to the scandal of temporary contracts throughout the education system. If we are to have an education-led recovery, we need more teachers on permanent contracts to cut class sizes, provide more support to pupils with additional support needs and address the impact of poverty on children’s learning.”
Call to end temporary contracts for teachers
Tes Scotland tweeted after Ms Somerville’s appointment yesterday to ask followers what her first priority should be. Many cited ongoing concerns about Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) assessment, although there were also a number of mentions of employment opportunities for teachers that echoed the EIS concerns about temporary contracts.
The EIS is part of the National Qualifications 2021 Group, which is overseeing arrangements in this exceptional year of Covid restrictions.
What do you want the new education secretary to do first?
- Henry Hepburn (@Henry_Hepburn) May 19, 2021
On the departure of John Swinney, after five years as education and skills secretary, Mr Flanagan said there had been a “constructive working relationship”.
He added: “While we have not agreed on every issue, we welcomed the fact that he was always willing to engage with the EIS and was supportive of genuine social dialogue. His time in office saw agreement on significant pay uplifts for many teachers and lecturers, together with a range of joint initiatives providing additional support in tackling the impact of poverty in education.
“His new role, leading on national Covid recovery, is a massive task, with major implications for education and, indeed, for the entire country. We wish him well in this new challenge.”
The EIS AGM - which was cancelled last year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak - will be held from 10-12 June. As a result of Covid restrictions, it will take place online.
