As you will be aware from previous communications, Dundee City Council intend to implement a faculty-based management model in the city’s secondary schools by August 2020. Your Dundee EIS Local Association Executive Committee are extremely concerned regarding these proposals and believe strongly that they do not represent a positive way forward for secondary education in Dundee.
In light of concerns regarding the proposals, a dispute was lodged at the Dundee Negotiating Committee for Teachers. Following this, Dundee EIS representatives, alongside colleagues from the SSTA, have met with the authority in good faith to express opposition to the planned restructuring process. However, the Authority have been clear in that their intention is to press ahead with plans for faculties.
The grounds of opposition to the implementation of a faculty-based management model are as follows:
- The loss of jobs, status and pay is unacceptable.
- The increased remits and workload of Faculty PTs will lead to the workload of classroom teachers increasing at a time when reducing excessive work load has been identified as the key issue affecting classroom teachers.
- There will be a 3 year increase to Dundee City Council Wage bill that will take money out of School’s already depleted DSM budget.
- It is unclear how a reduction in Principal Teachers will strengthen existing processes to curriculum leadership in Dundee’s Secondary schools. More cannot be delivered with less.
- There is no evidence base that states that a faculty-based management model will raise attainment.
- A reduction in the number of Principal Teachers will mean that the workload for Faculty PTs will be unsustainable
- The views of those affected most, current PTs and classroom teachers, were not taken into account by Dundee City Council prior to the proposed changes being voted upon by councillors.
- There is a real risk of a move to faculty-based management narrowing the curriculum offered in Dundee’s secondary schools. Such a risk is not acceptable for pupils or for teachers.
- Faculty based management structures narrow the career pathways available for teachers. This, in turn, risks exacerbating the challenges Dundee already faces in recruiting and retaining teachers.
We already know from member feedback and attendance at branch/general meetings that EIS members at all levels in Dundee’s secondary schools hold strong concerns regarding these proposals. Please ensure that you vote in the consultative ballot and make your voice heard. Together we can urge a rethink from Dundee City Council, as in our unity is our strength.
