Educators across Scotland are signaling their growing discontent as they prepare for a significant ballot on potential industrial action. At the heart of their grievances is a demand for 90 additional minutes of non-contact time each week, a measure they believe is critical to addressing escalating workload pressures and the intensity of time spent directly instructing students.
Teachers report that current demands leave insufficient time for essential professional tasks outside of direct classroom teaching. This includes lesson planning, marking and feedback, curriculum development, professional learning, and crucial administrative duties. The existing structure, they argue, places an undue burden on their working hours, frequently extending beyond the official school day and infringing on personal time.
The drive for 90 minutes back is not merely about reducing working hours, but about ensuring that teachers have adequate dedicated time within the school week to perform their multifaceted roles effectively. Without this protected time, the ability to properly prepare for lessons, provide comprehensive feedback, and engage in vital professional development is severely compromised, impacting both teacher well-being and the quality of education delivered to pupils.
The impending vote on industrial action underscores the seriousness with which teachers view these issues. It reflects a widespread belief that current staffing levels and time allocations are unsustainable, leading to burnout and making the profession less attractive. Unions representing educators are advocating for a systemic change that acknowledges the extensive responsibilities of teaching professionals beyond face-to-face instruction, aiming to create a more manageable and supportive working environment. This move highlights a collective effort to secure conditions that allow teachers to thrive and, in turn, enhance the educational experience for all students in Scotland.
