Created on: 03 Jun 2024
The 178th AGM of the EIS will take place this week in Dundee.
Teachers and lecturers from across Scotland will gather at the Caird Hall for the 3-day event to debate the key issues facing Scottish Education. The AGM order of business and Motions for debate have been published on the EIS website.
The EIS, which represents over 80% of Scotland’s teachers and lecturers, is the oldest teaching union in the world and one of the most globally respected voices in standing up for quality education.
This year’s AGM will debate 69 Motions and 1 Emergency Motion on a range of key issues including: cuts to Education; cuts in the number of teaching posts; under-resourcing of ASN (Additional Support Needs) provision; tackling abuse and harassment aimed at teachers; reversing real-terms cuts in teacher pay; reducing excessive teacher workload; and ensuring equal access for students to quality education provision.
The AGM, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, will feature keynote addresses by EIS President Paula McEwan (Thursday, 1430hrs) and General Secretary Andrea Bradley (Friday 1200hrs).
A scheduled keynote speech and Q&A with Cabinet Secretary Jenny Gilruth has now been cancelled, with the Scottish Government citing purdah regulations related to the current UK General election period.
The AGM will also feature the launch of the EIS Education Manifesto for the General Election, and the publication of a major independent report on teacher workload.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “The AGM is the sovereign decision-making body of Scotland’s largest teaching union, and its decisions will shape EIS priorities for the year ahead.
"Scottish Education is facing many challenges at the present time, with yet more threatened cuts to education provision, teacher numbers, and the length of the learning week, in various parts of the country.
"The long-running dispute over pay in the Further Education sector continues, with the result that lecturers will once again be on picket lines rather than classrooms this week. It is clear from the motions for debate that our members are committed to standing up for equitable, quality education as the cornerstone of a decent, socially just society.
"The EIS AGM will shine a light on all the key issues facing our schools, colleges and universities, and act as a powerful mouthpiece for Scottish Education, its learners and its teaching professionals."