SNP schools quango is ‘damaged brand’, says teaching union

‘Need for reform beyond question’

SCOTLAND’S biggest teachers’ union has derided the SNP’s schools quango as a ‘damaged brand’.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said it was wrong for curriculum advisory body Education Scotland to spearhead SNP school reforms.

The organisation also includes the schools inspectorate, which critics say compromises its independence.

The EIS broadside comes after Education Secretary John Swinney announced plans to give more power on decisions to headteachers.

In addition, the Scottish Government has brought forward proposals for regional boards – or ‘collaboratives’ – which will take over some educational responsibility from councils, leading local authorities to fear will result in them being stripped of much of their authority.

The new bodies will be led by appointed directors who will report directly to the chief inspector of schools – an Education Scotland employee.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said Education Scotland had ‘singularly failed’ to provide the leadership or support required by schools on the curriculum and assessment. He added: ‘Whilst the [Scottish Government] proposals talk about decentralising decisionmaking, in practice they point strongly to a centralising of conbeen trol through a reformed Education Scotland.

‘That Education Scotland needs reform, as a minimum, is beyond question. In terms of the new qualifications, it has posted missing over the last few years. The Scottish Government needs to recognise that Education Scotland is a damaged brand.’

Mr Flanagan claimed that the crucial critical challenge of an independent inspectorate ‘has been blunted’ as it was perceived as little more than a Government agency.

The schools quango has been criticised by MSPs for its ‘flimsy’ performance on introducing the Curriculum for Excellence and for its increasingly politicised role in the education system.

Now-defunct curriculum advisory body Learning and Teaching Scotland and schools watchdog Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education combined in 2011 to form Education Scotland.

Education Scotland last night referred enquiries to the Scottish Government.

Responding to Mr Flanagan’s criticism, Mr Swinney said: ‘The EIS is rightly recognising the potential regional collaboratives have to provide support teachers need. They can make a real difference in the classroom.’

He added: ‘In our reform plan we are explicitly committed to building consensus.’