Scottish teachers ballot for action over workload

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) is to ballot members on industrial action in the latest move triggered by long-standing concerns over excessive work linked to new exams – particularly National 4 and 5, which have replaced Standard grades.

Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said the decision to issue a ballot stemmed from the “increasingly severe workload pressure” facing secondary teachers.

He said: “The introduction of new qualifications has, at times, been rushed and has also been significantly under-resourced and the demands placed on teachers as a result have been both excessive and unsustainable with serious implications for health and wellbeing.

“Significant pressure has also been placed on pupils both as the result of the changing qualifications system and due to continuing over-assessment in order to meet requirements of the SQA. The clear message from members is that enough is enough.”