On Thursday, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth will unveil new proposals to cut the amount of time teachers spend in the classroom.
These plans could potentially see the introduction of a flexible four-day teaching week, giving teachers a dedicated day to carry out other parts of their job.
Ministers are also exploring a move to having new nationally agreed minimum standards on pupil learning hours, which could enable schools to adopt later start times, longer breaks, or restructured school days.
This reduction in class contact time for teachers, together with the pay deal agreed earlier in November and improved maternity leave, would form a new “National Deal” for Scotland’s teachers, according to the Scottish Government.
Gilruth will set out more details on the plans at the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland conference in Glasgow on Thursday.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth
The Education Secretary has insisted the Scottish Government can cut the amount of time teachers spend in the classroom while also delivering “better outcomes” for pupils.
Adding that Scotland has “the lowest pupil teacher ratio and the highest education spend per person of anywhere in the UK”, Gilruth said she was making a “statement of intent to empower Scotland’s teachers with the time, trust and tools they need to deliver transformative learning”.
She added: “By investing in teacher capacity, the aim is to create richer learning experiences and raise standards for every learner.
“Working together, we can shape a future where reduced class contact time is not just a logistical change, but a catalyst for deeper professional engagement, improved wellbeing and better outcomes for every learner.”
The Scottish Greens praised the plans, which echo their own policy of a four-day working week – a move all Scottish Green party and parliamentary office staff have adopted.
Speaking to The National, Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer said: “It’s great to see the Scottish Government follow the Scottish Greens in recognising the value of the four-day working week. The pilot programmes we secured in other parts of the public sector have been incredibly successful so far, reducing staff absence rates and helping with productivity.
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer
“Delivering this kind of change in our schools would require a massive increase in funding though. It’s hard to see that happening when this same Scottish Government refuses to fix the council tax or make the other changes our councils need to properly fund local services.”
However, Greer said while the plans were “exactly the right kind of long-term aim we should have”, the Scottish Government should take further steps to reduce the “crushing” workload of teachers.
He continued: “For starters, scrapping standardised testing would not only reduce workload and pupil anxiety, it would save in the region of £5m per year.
“Long-term aims around more manageable working weeks should not be used to avoid taking action here and now.”
Meanwhile, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) trade union, which represents more than 80% of Scotland’s teaching professionals, criticised the Scottish Government for making “announcements via the media” rather than to the body which negotiates teachers’ pay and conditions.
The EIS is currently balloting members over possible strike action as part of a dispute over class contact time, claiming the Scottish Government has “delivered absolutely nothing”.
The SNP’s election manifesto had pledged to reduce classroom time for teachers to a maximum of 21 hours a week.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: “Once the EIS has the opportunity to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s proposals, our salaries committee will discuss these and formulate a response.
“A red line for teachers remains that the 1.5 hour reduction in class contact must be allocated to teachers’ preparation of learning, teaching and assessment, and teachers treated as trusted professionals to use the time as they see fit in support of young people and their learning.
“There can be no government or employer diktat over how this time should be utilised by teachers.”
