EIS Launches Election Manifesto, Highlighting the Value of Investment in Scottish Education

The EIS has launched its education manifesto ahead of May’s Scottish Parliament election. 

The Manifesto sets out key priorities for Scotland’s schools, colleges and universities and lays out a challenge to politicians to match the EIS’s ambitions for Scotland’s education system and the people of all ages that it serves.

The Manifesto was formally launched at a special event in Edinburgh, before a panel of prominent politicians and other invited guests.

The EIS is not affiliated to any political party, and makes no recommendation on how its members should vote in the election, but urges teachers and lecturers to engage fully in the election process and to cast their vote for candidates or parties who can demonstrate their clear commitment to supporting Scottish education.

The Manifesto is underpinned by independent research by the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland (IPPR Scotland), which has provided an analysis of the values and costs of the EIS policy aspirations outlined in the Manifesto itself.

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “The EIS is proud to publish its Education Manifesto for the Scottish Parliament elections, and to play its part in the democratic process.

"The key themes of our Manifesto highlight the value of education to society, and the importance of investing in our schools, colleges and universities. The EIS would urge all of our members to read the manifesto, to question politicians and political parties over their commitment to Scottish education, and then to use their votes in this hugely important election.

"Democracy is an essential part of our society, and it is important that every eligible voter has their say by exercising their right to vote."

The EIS Manifesto highlights current inadequate investment in education, and places a spotlight on the implications of this under-investment for learners of all ages, and particularly young people, across Scotland.

For school education, the EIS Manifesto outlines 5 key policy priorities for Early Education and schools, which have all been independently modelled and costed by the IPPR:

• Reduce all class sizes to a maximum of 20 pupils.
• Reduce weekly class contact to a maximum of 20 hours.
• Restore the number of Early Years GTCS-registered teachers to at least 2012, ideally 2007, levels.
• Put in place the requisite additional staffing and resources to fully implement in practice the relevant legal duties and commitments for all pupils with additional support needs.
• Provide Universal Free School Meals to all school pupils.

Commenting, Ms Bradley said, “The EIS believes that the policies outlined in this manifesto can deliver a brighter future for Scottish education, and for our young people.

"There are, of course, costs involved in properly funding education, but this should be seen as an investment in our young people and in the future of our country and our society.

"Based on the independent research by IPPR Scotland , the view of the EIS is that these costs are entirely manageable for a wealthy country such as Scotland – it will be a matter of political choice for the next Scottish Government, no matter what its political hue, as to how it takes forward these challenges to properly invest in and support Scottish education."

Dave Hawkey, senior research fellow at IPPR Scotland said, "Investment in education strengthens the foundations for the future, helping our young people develop and look forward to prosperous lives.

"But it is also important for enhancing the wellbeing both of staff and students during their time at school. The costs we have estimated for implementing these policies are not insignificant, but international evidence suggests it is highly plausible that these would be outweighed by the benefits."