Fife teaching demands in local manifesto

DEMANDS for more teachers, smaller class sizes and less stress and overworking are being made by Fife teachers.

And further calls to better tackle violent and disruptive pupil behaviour with more support staff and ring-fenced funding are also being made.

Members of the Fife branch of the EIS teaching union are making the demands through a local manifesto, which they expect to be addressed in the new parliamentary sitting, following Thursday’s elections.

The manifesto says violent and disruptive pupil behaviour has increased since the pandemic and nearly a quarter of Fife teachers have suffered abuse or violence in the classroom over the previous 12 months.

Pauline Stewart, Fife EIS president, said: “Fife Council has a duty to protect the health and safety of their employees.

“Staff have a right to go to work and not face physical and verbal abuse, and pupils have a right to learn in conditions which are safe.

“We want to work with Fife Council to create an improved strategy to make our schools safe.”

The manifesto also says that 70% of members in Fife regularly complain of stress and overwork, and that most teachers surveyed would no longer recommend a career in teaching.

It states: “Many teachers have already left during the pandemic and there is concern that many teachers may be planning on leaving the profession in the near future.”

Responding to the EIS claims about violence in schools, Fife head of education and children’s services Shelagh McLean said the safety of staff and pupils was paramount.

She said: “Schools record any violent incidents so that appropriate support and guidance can be provided.

“We have professional learning programmes, based on relationships and learning, which are developed around our nurture, de-escalation and restorative practices.”