Teachers who were just handed a 7.5 per cent pay hike are in line for a four-day week in the classroom, under SNP plans to head off strikes.
Union bosses have threatened to plunge schools into chaos by mounting industrial action in a bid to cut the time they spend in front of pupils.
Now Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has unveiled proposals for a ‘flexible’ four-day week.
The other weekday – which could be covered by supply staff and timetable overhauls – would be spent on tasks such as marking pupils’ homework or professional development.
But Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs has branded the plan a ‘gimmick’. He said: ‘The SNP has woefully failed to provide the extra teachers they promised, so the ability to actually deliver reduced contact time for teachers remains unfeasible.
‘Just this week, we had confirmation that dissatisfaction with our schools is at a record high, yet Jenny Gilruth is still failing to deal with declining standards and the epidemic of classroom violence that her party’s policies have produced.
‘This gimmick will merely short-change students while doing nothing to provide real support for teachers.’
Announcing the plans, Ms Gilruth said they would see the ‘phased implementation of reduced contact time, with a series of options explored’. They include changes to the working week, including a ‘flexible four-day teaching week model that could offer a dedicated day for professional activities’.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has unveiled proposals for a ‘flexible’ four-day week
There would also be a ‘move to minimum standards on pupil learning hours which could enable later start times, extended breaks or restructured school days’.
Ms Gilruth suggested the school day could start later to allow for pupils who struggle to get up in the morning. She said: ‘These proposals are a statement of intent to empower Scotland’s teachers with the time, trust and tools they need to deliver transformative learning.’
The plans will be considered by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), comprising members from teaching unions, local authorities and the government. In its 2021 Holyrood manifesto the SNP pledged to reduce class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours.
However, it has failed to meet its pledge and earlier this month Scotland’s largest teaching union – the EIS – urged its members to back strike action over the issue.
The strike ballot was announced on the same day teachers were handed a 7.5 per cent pay rise over two years. EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: ‘We will await further details of these proposals coming via the SNCT.
‘In the meantime, the EIS ballot remains open over the failure to deliver the promised 1.5 hour reduction in maximum class contact time for all of teachers as a means of reducing workload.
‘The EIS urges all teachers to vote in this ballot and to vote yes to strike action.’
