Created on: 07 Jun 2024
The General Secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland has used her keynote address to the EIS Annual General Meeting to issue a challenge to Scotland’s politicians as the EIS launched its Education Manifesto ahead of the UK General Election.
Addressing the EIS AGM at Dundee Caird Hall this afternoon, Andrea Bradley highlighted the many political commitments to education that have yet to be met, and urged politicians of all parties to do far more to Stand Up for Quality Education.
Ms Bradley told the meeting, “We’ve been quick off the mark in publishing our Education Manifesto just two weeks and two days after the election was called. It’s a UK General Election and Education is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, of course, but the EIS believes that Scottish MPs in Westminster have a responsibility to act in the interests of Scotland and its citizens in respect of all public services, including Education.
"Whether matters are devolved or not, values matter; and the Barnett consequentials matter.
“In many ways, it was easy to turn this manifesto around so quickly - because we know what we stand for. Our Union democracy is strong. Our decisions are soundly rooted in strong principles and values and they don’t change depending on what way the wind’s blowing.
"We know that under-investment in Education in the here and now is a massive error of political judgement. Politicians need to see as we do that the cost of a few million in savings in the short term will be massive in the lives of the young people whose futures hang by a thread – the young people for whom school and their teachers are a safety net.”
“The human cost of under-investing in Education should be unconscionable to people who say that they’re in politics because they want to work for a better society. Too often, though, our politicians appear to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
“We need to go on trying to convince them to invest properly in Education today because it’s the right and socially just thing to do. And because significant and sustained investment now will deliver huge long-term savings on health, on employability and on criminal justice for decades to come. It should be a no-brainer.”
“In launching this manifesto, we urge all political parties and General Election candidates to stand up for quality education, for workers’ rights, for peace, for equality and for climate justice, alongside the EIS. Let’s see what you’re really made of.”
“We encourage all voters - teachers, support staff, the parents and carers and families of our young people, and all who care about quality education, to cast their votes with the EIS vision of quality education firmly in their sights. In launching this manifesto, we encourage all to stand up with us, stand up for us…Stand Up for Quality Education.”