THE Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has called on council candidates to make tackling teacher and pupil workloads a priority.
In its local election manifesto, the teachers union also calls for an end to school budget cuts, an agreement on a national staffing standard for teachers, more funding for additional special needs, and a commitment on a pay increase.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS is launching our education manifesto today to promote discussion on key education policies ahead of the local authority elections on May 4.
“Education is one of the most important services delivered by local authorities, and an issue of principal interest to voters.
“Councils are responsible for supporting schools and are the employers of teachers and other staff who are essential in the delivery of education. It is absolutely vital that all local council candidates and all political parties fully appreciate the importance of education to their communities.
“The most important message that all politicians need to hear is that our schools, teachers and learners should not be used as political footballs to score party-political points.
“All local councillors – be they party affiliated or independent; in power or in opposition – have an obligation to support the work of our comprehensive school system.”
This weekend will see the first votes being cast in the local authority elections, with the country’s 718,269 packs being sent out last night to the 17.5 per cent of the electorate who have postal votes.
Andy O’Neill, head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland had advice for voters receiving their ballot this weekend: “Anyone filling in their postal vote this Easter weekend should save the X’s for their hot cross buns because at council elections you vote using numbers, ranking candidates in order of choice.”
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