Report of the General Secretary
80th Annual Congress of the SSTA
Friday, 9 May 2025
Opening Remarks
Good afternoon, President, distinguished guests, and esteemed delegates of Congress.
It is with profound gratitude, and a deep sense of duty, that I stand before you today, having once again been entrusted with the role of General Secretary.
Over the past ten years, I’ve had the privilege of serving this organization through a time of significant change.
And as we look ahead, it is clear: even greater change lies before us.
The Challenges We Face
The challenges we face are complex.
They confront us as educators, as trade unionists, as parents, as community members, and as public servants.
Today, freedoms that many once thought were untouchable are at risk.
We see the rise of extremism.
We see the spread of misinformation.
And we see a disturbing erosion of mutual respect, understanding, and accountability.
These forces threaten the very foundation of our democratic society.
Freedom and Responsibility
It is vital, that every citizen, especially those in the public sector, can express their views without fear of censure or reprisal.
Freedom of speech and thought is not a privilege. It is a cornerstone of a resilient, healthy democracy.
This matters deeply to us, because we are in the business of shaping hearts and minds.
But educators cannot, and should not, carry that burden alone.
Support from parents, communities, and civic institutions is not optional.
It is essential.
Teachers must be trusted.
We must be given the space to educate with integrity.
To reason. To explain. To foster critical thinking.
This is how we pass on values of understanding, respect, and responsibility to the next generation.
Unity and Commitment
The road ahead won’t be easy. But it is a road we must travel together.
With unity.
With courage.
And with determination.
Let us reaffirm our values. Let us stand firm in our mission. Let us ensure that education, equality, and democracy prevail.
Our Identity as a Union
From the beginning, our focus has been clear:
Secondary teachers, and secondary education.
That hasn’t changed. It won’t change.
For more than 80 years, we’ve faced challenges. But we’ve stayed true to the values of our members.
We are a principled union, but also a pragmatic one.
We’ve never accepted that “nothing can be done.”
We’ve always worked to find solutions, even when the road was blocked.
What makes the SSTA different is this:
We don’t just highlight problems, we solve them.
We think differently. We challenge assumptions.
We understand the bigger picture.
Pay and the SNCT
Let me turn now to pay.
In January, the SNCT submitted our 2025–26 claim: 6% across all SNCT grades.
To date, an offer of 3% has been made, and quickly rejected.
Let me be clear: any deal must include a restorative element, not just match inflation. Teachers’ salaries must return to the value they once held.
We’re open to a multi-year deal, but the figures must protect teachers throughout.
We understand financial pressures. COSLA says it is at the limit.
But this delay, this refusal to act makes teachers feel undervalued and ignored.
Workload and Contact Time
Equally concerning is the failure to deliver on reduced class contact time.
An additional 90 minutes per week for planning, preparation, and correction is not an unreasonable ask.
Yet we hear: “What’s in this for us?”
Let me tell you what’s in it:
Reduced workload for teachers
Better-prepared lessons
Improved outcomes for our children
A real chance of retaining the teachers we have
That is what’s in it, for everyone.
We’re in a recruitment crisis.
Too many teachers are on temporary contracts.
Job-shares are being rejected. Phased retirements discouraged.
Over 50% of newly qualified secondary teachers can’t find permanent posts.
Just this week, a survey showed secondary schools are carrying on average two vacancies each.
That means fewer teachers to handle behaviour challenges.
Fewer teachers to support pupils with additional needs.
This cannot go on.
The Way Forward
The SNCT must work. And for that to happen, we need:
- Real negotiations
- Respect for the profession
- Action on recruitment and retention
- A serious commitment to reducing workload
We also need education funding ring-fenced.
When the Scottish Government allocates money for education, it must stay in education.
Teacher numbers must not just be maintained, they must increase
We need time and funding for:
- Professional development
- Teaching resources
Let’s stop the wrangling.
Put children first, and let teachers teach.
Education in Flux
The education landscape in Scotland is shifting again. Some say it always is.
But this time, it’s fundamental. The changes will shape secondary education for a generation.
We’re talking about:
The Curriculum, especially the Senior Phase
Assessments and the role of Qualification Scotland
The structure of Education Scotland and the Inspection system
And all of this, in a time of austerity. When the only constant is cuts.
New initiatives arrive weekly, each relying on the goodwill of teachers. But that goodwill is wearing thin.
Real Reform, Not Change for Its Own Sake
Yes, change is needed. But not change for its own sake.
Let’s begin with the curriculum. It’s what we do.
The Curriculum for Excellence was meant to develop:
- Successful learners
- Confident individuals
- Responsible citizens
- Effective contributors
It promotes flexibility, transferable skills, and continuous assessment.
Then I ask:
Why aren’t we offering a balanced, enriching curriculum to all young people until age 18?
Why are we forcing them through a qualification factory, spending more time on exams and paperwork than on actual learning?
Supportive Systems
The new Qualification Scotland must trust teachers. Support them not burden them.
No more constant demands for evidence. Trust our judgement.
The new Inspection system must be context specific.
Secondary schools are not the same as primary or early years. One model doesn’t fit all.
Inspections must support not punish. Encourage, not intimidate.
The fear of inspection is real. It stifles creativity. It kills innovation.
And let me go further:
Inspections should follow the money.
Inspect those who hold the purse strings. Inspect those issuing directives, not just the schools carrying them out.
Schools are not autonomous. Let’s stop pretending they are.
When one school struggles in a council area it’s everyone’s concern.
The winners-and-losers culture must end.
Change Must Support Teachers
Reform must support teachers, not hinder them.
As reform takes shape, the SSTA is clear:
Teachers must be at the centre.
Conclusion
We will continue to fight for:
- Fair pay
- Respect for our profession
- Better working conditions
- Real reform that supports, not burdens our schools
This isn’t about politics.
It’s about classrooms.
About pupils. About learning.
About the future of Scottish education.
Let us speak with one voice.
Let us be the change that teachers, and Scotland’s young people, deserve.
Thank you
