Workload Dispute - Agreement Reached!
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As colleagues will be aware, the EIS has reached a tri-lateral agreement with COSLA and the Scottish Government on implementing the SNP’s manifesto promise to reduce weekly class contact time to a maximum of 21 hours per week.
The EIS has also been able to ensure that the weekly 1.5 hours released is non-directed - i.e. will be fully within teachers’ control.
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This agreement will now be taken forward at the SNCT.
Additional teachers to staff the class contact reduction will be employed from 2026-27 with the extra Scottish Government funding, and with the 21 hours maximum weekly class contact becoming contractually binding in August 2027 for primary & special school teachers, and by 2029 for secondary school teachers.
These timescales were ultimately agreed upon to facilitate the effective implementation of these structural changes to the entire Scottish education system, fundamentally increasing the staffing ratio of teachers to pupils with additional teachers for every school. This will require the recruitment of Primary teachers, including in rural and island schools; and a large range of subject specialists in Secondaries, including in rural and island areas where recruitment challenges are further compounded.
The Workload dispute was one part of our SU4QE campaign to reduce workload. Other parts continue. We would advise members to look at the following EIS sector-specific workload advice in the short-term.
We continue to work to reduce teacher workload in a variety of ways.
Invite your local organiser or LA Secretary to speak to members in your school about reducing workload or the workload agreement.
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Scottish Parliamentary Election Hustings
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The EIS will be hosting a series of regional in-person Scottish Parliamentary Election hustings with prospective MSPs.
These are solely in-person hustings and will give members in selected areas an opportunity to meet local prospective MSPs. A buffet meal will be provided at each event. The regional husting are at the following places and times:
- Glasgow: Monday 27th April
- Edinburgh: Tuesday 28th April
- Aberdeen: Wednesday 29th April
- Inverness: Wednesday 29th April
We will also hold a national online-only hustings event on Thursday, 30th April, with the education spokespersons for the five major parties invited.
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Working Time Agreements (WTAs) are a crucial way in which workload is managed, planned and controlled.
Working Time Agreements manage members’ collegiate time, and ensure meetings and other collegiate activities are spread evenly throughout the year.
If you're in a school without a rep and you need help with your WTA, then contact your local organiser.
They can help organise a branch meeting in your school and provide information and guidance around WTAs.
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Support Members on Strike
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Edinburgh Napier University EIS Members
EIS members who are lecturers at Edinburgh Napier University are striking over job cuts and the fact that the University has implemented a redundancy programme.
Send your messages of solidarity to our National Officer for HE Garry.Ross@eis.org.uk
City of Glasgow College Members
EIS members who are welding lecturers at City of Glasgow College are striking over health and safety concerns within the welding workshops – specifically over the amount of dust produced and a lack of appropriate respiratory protection equipment.
Send your solidarity to our National Officer for FE scollins@eis.org.uk
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Action Research Grants Scheme (2026 - 2028)
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Applications are now open for the EIS's Action Research Grants Scheme (2026-28). This two-year funded scheme will allow participants to engage deeply in a particular area of interest of their practice as a teacher/lecturer.
Participants will be supported throughout the process by the EIS's Education and Equality Department, academic partners, and regular peer-researcher meetings, where they will discuss key issues in relation to their ongoing research.
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To learn more about the scheme and to make an application, please visit our website.
If you have any questions regarding the scheme, please contact Zoe McKeown on zmckeown@eis.org.uk.
The deadline for receipt of applications to the scheme is 12 noon Friday, April 24th.
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Many Good Men - Changing the Story About Online Misogyny
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Have you used activities from the Many Good Men Education Resources with your learners?
If so, we want to hear from you! Many Good Men is the EIS's anti-misogyny education resource for upper secondary and college.
We would be grateful if you could fill out a short survey to help inform our professional learning and resources to address misogyny in educational establishments.
Do you work in Early Years or Primary and want to get involved in the development of a new resource in this area? Contact our Equality Department at equality@eis.org.uk
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Disrupt Disinformation - Let's Change the Story
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‘Disrupt Disinformation – Let’s Change the Story’ is the EIS’s new project to support members to address disinformation and prejudice, and promote equality, diversity and inclusion through effective social dialogue and strategic communication that fosters critical thinking and encourages political literacy.
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Upcoming PACT Training Days
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The EIS will be offering a series of national poverty-related professional learning sessions as part of the PACT Programme. PACT is a professional learning offer for educators in Scotland, rooted in the principles of social justice and equity.
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It is designed to support educators to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the nature, causes, and consequences of poverty, and its impact on learners, families, and wider communities.
If you or your colleagues are interested in joining us, more information on the times and dates, as well as guidance on how to register, can be accessed on our website.
PACT offerings can also be tailored to be delivered locally for schools or local associations. Please get in touch with your LA Secretary or the Education and Equality Department if you would like to explore a local tailored session.
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I-BEST Survey - Last Chance to Share Your Views
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The EIS is joining trade unions from the UK and around the world to participate in an international survey of teachers’ health and wellbeing called The International Barometer of Health and Well-being of Education Staff (I-BEST) and we are seeking your views.
Complete the survey here: I-BEST Survey 2026.
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The information we gather from the survey will support our Stand Up for Quality Education campaign as we continue to fight for increased core education funding to address additional support needs, reduce violence and aggression in our schools as well as concrete reductions in teachers’ workload.
The survey closes on Friday 27th March at 5pm and we encourage you to participate and make your voice heard on this important issue.
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STUC LGBT+ Workers' Conference 2026
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EIS Delegation: Nominations Open
This year's STUC LGBT+ Workers' Conference will take place on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026, at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel in Clydebank.
As ever, we are keen to ensure a strong EIS presence, and LGBT+ members are encouraged to put themselves forward for the EIS delegation.
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It is an exciting opportunity to learn more about how the wider trade union movement is tackling LGBT issues, while connecting with LGBT+ activists from across Scotland. For further details about the role of an EIS delegate at the Conference, please see our .
If you are interested in being an EIS delegate to the STUC LGBT+ Workers' Conference, please complete this no later than Wednesday, 25th March.
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If you are in a school that does not currently have an EIS Rep, please organise as a branch to elect an EIS Rep or a group of EIS School Reps to help take forward the work of the EIS in your school.
EIS Reps help and support colleagues, and have access to EIS training and support from Local Association reps and full-time officials.
Please contact your Local Association's Organiser and/or Local Association Secretary if interested.
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SPPA Teachers Circular 2026/03: The purpose of this circular is to Notify employers of the increase to public service pensions with effect from 6 April.
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