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Schools Closer to Industrial Action

Teacher pay talks broke down earlier, today, after Scottish Government and COSLA refused to consider improvements to their previous offer, already rejected by the SNCT as “derisory” and “divisive” at its meeting on 18 September. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said that “the prospect of industrial action had moved significantly closer as a result of the Scottish Governments decision to abandon the talks rather than seeking to negotiate a solution. The SSTA had believed the Government when it said it…

Teachers reject Cosla Pay Offer but remain committed to negotiated agreement

Tuesday 27 March 2018 The Teachers’ Side negotiators of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) have today (Tuesday) rejected a pay offer of 2% / 3% from local authorities to Scotland’s teachers. The offer was presented by the Employers’ Side of the SNCT at a meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs group. The Teachers’ Side had submitted a pay claim of 10% for teachers at all grades. Commenting, a spokesperson for the Teachers’ Side of the SNCT said,…

Information for Members / Press Releases - 03/27/2018

SSTA Prepares for Industrial Action on Teachers’ Pay in 2018

The SSTA conducted a survey of members on the 2017 pay increase for teachers and their readiness to take action in pursuit of an acceptable pay deal in 2018. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said, “At this early stage 96% of SSTA members are prepared to take industrial action for an above inflation pay award in 2018. 64% were prepared to take strike action with a further 32% were prepared to take action short of strike action” “The survey showed…

Conditions of Service / Press Releases - 01/23/2018

‘The Christmas Mobile Telephone Present’

The SSTA does not wish to dampen the excitement of Christmas and the giving and receiving of presents. Many children and young people will be looking forward excitedly to receiving a mobile telephone for the first time or the latest ‘all singing and dancing ‘model. However, parents need to be aware of their responsibilities in ensuring their children use mobiles correctly and more importantly appropriately”. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said, “Today's mobile telephones are a very powerful piece of…

Press Releases - 12/21/2017

Teachers demand higher pay and a cut in workload

The SSTA is conducting a survey of members on the proposed pay increase for teachers in 2017-2018 (1% from April with a further 1% from January to March 2018). Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said, “The initial finding highlights the lack of recognition of the important work that teachers undertake and the unhappiness of the profession. Although pay is critical in retaining teachers the ‘never ending’ workload is pushing many teachers away”. “The survey showed 90% of teachers believed the…

Information for Members / Press Releases - 12/19/2017

SSTA opposed to the formation of an Education Workforce Council

The SSTA at its December Council meeting passed a motion to oppose the Deputy First Minister’s proposal regarding the formation of an Education Workforce Council and urges the Government to abandon plans to create such a Council. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “The SSTA believes that by removing the GTCS it would be a retrograde step and would compromise the independence and integrity of the GTCS. This would be to the detriment of the teaching profession in Scotland.…

GTCS / Press Releases - 12/07/2017

Education Governance: Next Steps - Empowering Our Teachers, Parents and Communities to Deliver Excellence and Equity for Our Children

The SSTA supports the Government’s determination to bring about improvements in Education by ‘closing the attainment gap’ and giving all young people the opportunity to fulfil their potential. However, the SSTA has argued for a process of review followed by improvements rather than major structural change. The Government has chosen to use its ‘Governance Review’ as the vehicle to look at the agencies and structures involved in education, but not the structures inside the school that support teaching and learning.…

Information for Members / Press Releases - 06/16/2017

SSTA Survey on SQA changes to National 5 Qualifications

In addition to the report in today’s Times Education Supplement (Scotland) the SSTA has written to John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, asking for an urgent review of the changes to National 5 Qualifications introduced by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and intended for implementation in 2017-2018 session. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “The SSTA welcomed the decision of the Minister to reduce workload for learners and teachers by making the National 5 Units non-mandatory. However, the solutions announced by…

Curriculum for Excellence / Press Releases - 03/10/2017

SSTA Response to Governance Review

SSTA says ‘Put Pupils First – Give Teachers Time to Teach’ The SSTA would argue for a process of review followed by improvements rather than major structural change in its response to ‘Empowering teachers, parents and communities to achieve excellence and equity in education: A Governance Review’. The SSTA believe that structural change only diverts energies and resources away from the main challenge of ‘closing the attainment gap’. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “Unfortunately this review does not include…

Consultations / Press Releases - 01/11/2017

Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015: Scotland's Results

The SSTA is disappointed to note that since 2012 Scotland’s scores for 15 year olds in the PISA assessments have dropped from ‘above average’ in reading and science to average, and have remained average in Maths. While recognising that the ‘average’ standard is high among the large number of OECD countries assessed, Scotland has a long tradition of educational excellence and needs to realise its potential as a front-runner. Behind the bare figures were a number of interesting responses from…

Information for Members / Press Releases - 12/06/2016