The new First Minister must tackle the “culture of procrastination and obfuscation” within the Scottish Government in dealing with the problems in the education system, members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, will argue at the Union’s Scotland Annual Conference this week.  

NASUWT members at the Conference, which is being held virtually this Friday, will condemn the “litany of broken promises” over tackling pupil behaviour, class contact time, teacher numbers, funding of the education system, and additional support needs, to name a few.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“Teachers are feeling increasingly angry and frustrated at the failure of ministers to honour stated commitments to address the most pressing problems in the education system.

“To take just two examples, little to no progress has been made on implementing the SNP’s manifesto commitment, made in 2021, to cut class contact time for teachers by 90 minutes a week.

“Despite pledging in 2023 to protect teacher numbers, local authorities are now threatening to cut hundreds of teaching posts.  

“The Scottish Government needs to stop making empty promises and start delivering for our teachers, pupils and parents.”

Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland National Official, said:

“The new First Minister must make a break with the culture of delay and denial which has grown up in their government and which is undermining teachers’ ability to do their job, leaving them vulnerable in their own classrooms and preventing all pupils reaching their full potential.

“Teachers have waited long enough for action on the matters which are hampering their working lives and the education of children and young people.

“The new First Minister needs to act decisively to fulfil the promises made to teachers and parents.”