Education International has called for Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to bring an immediate end to the violence being led by his regime against peaceful demonstrators who continue to demand fundamental rights and democratic change. After a day of clashes between supporters of the President and protesters calling on him to resign immediately, Egyptian state television reports that hundreds of people have been wounded in pitched battles across Cairo. EI calls for an immediate end to the violent repression of peaceful…
Negotiations with COSLA
Dear Colleagues The convener of the Salaries and Conditions committee was part of the delegation which met with COSLA and the Scottish Government on Monday 31 January. Subsequently our Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee met today, Tuesday 1 February, to determine our response to the most recent proposals. COSLA wish us to believe that, in return for considerable detriment to our conditions of service new teacher posts will be created. However they are unable to give us…
New Exam Information
Dear Colleagues SQA have indicated that they will publish Course Rationale and Summary documents for National 4 and National 5 this morning (Monday 31.01.11). These draft documents will be made available on the SQA website (http://www.sqa.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence). There is a very short consultation period, 2 months, and the Association will be asked for immediate responses to the document. If you have time in your busy schedule to look at the rationale for your subject a short (or long) comment sent to…
Aberdeen City Indicative Ballot Results
Dear Colleagues The indicative ballot closed at midnight on Wednesday 26 January 2011. Part 1 related to ballot verification then two questions were asked. The response to questions 2 & 3 were: 2. In the event of compulsory redundancies: 64.4% in favour of a ballot on action including strike action 35.6% in favour of a ballot on action short of strike action 3. In the event of a pay cut being imposed: 80.5% in favour of a ballot…
Pay demand made by the Teachers' side
Dear Colleagues You may have noted the comments in newspapers today about the pay demand made by the Teacher's side, and wrongly credited to the EIS. The claim was for a minimum of 3.3%, based on the rate of CPI during 2010. Apart from the obvious purpose of this claim it is vitally important that our employers are aware of the loss teachers will suffer if a freeze on pay is maintained. The Convener of Salaries and Conditions of Service…
Possible action by COSLA/Scottish Government to end conservation
Dear Colleagues Many of you will be aware of the article in newspapers at the weekend, discussing possible action to end conservation. This was one of the proposals agreed between COSLA and the Scottish Government in November 2010. Teacher Unions have not agreed to this and negotiations are currently underway. At this stage the Management side have been unable to provide us with any of the details needed to make a rational decision. COSLA are stating their…
Union Warns Over Abuse of Internet Help for Pupils
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, representing 8500 teachers in Scotland's Secondary Schools, today warned its members over problems caused following harassment of some of its member via electronic mail. In particular harassment by pupils was now a significant concern. The union issued its advice today on its website pointing out that the situation had become worse in recent days as teachers worked from home and tried to maintain contact with students especially those who would take national examinations next…
Scottish Teacher Union Warns on Impact of Cuts
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, representing 8500 teachers in Scotland's Secondary Schools, today warned its members on the impact of the cuts in education budgets currently under discussion in many Scottish local authorities. The union expressed particular concerns that Councils did not have enough knowledge of educational systems and arrangements to be fully aware of the impact of the cuts. Speaking in Edinburgh today, Ann Ballinger, General Secretary of the union said, “The SSTA accepts that local authorities are…
Communicating with pupils via email
Dear Colleagues You may have been asked to communicate with pupils via electronic means during this inclement weather enabling staff to work from home in severe weather and avoid possible injury attempting to travel to a building already closed to pupils. Some schools even ask staff to use electronic means to distribute, discuss and mark homework. This type of communication should only be undertaken using the authority Intranet. Properly set up and monitored intranet systems…
Warning to Members - Teaching resources - A SCAM?
The Association has become aware of the behaviour of a company, who run a web-site containing the term “teaching resources”, have caused considerable concern within the teaching profession. Their web site offers teachers a chance to 'trial' PSHE resources. However, only in the very (easily missed) small print of the terms and conditions is it explained that, after the 14 day trial, schools will be automatically invoiced for a two year contract with the company. This will only be stopped…
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