1. COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2004

a) EMERGENCY MOTION

Council approved the following Emergency Motion:

This Association believes that the contractual right of a probationer teacher to fully qualified professional support during probation cannot be met in those schools where there is not a Principal Teacher who is qualified in and who has responsibility of the probationer’s teaching subject.

The Association calls on SEED, GTCS and local authorities to work together to review policy and practice in order to ensure that this provision is met.

b) NOMINATIONS TO TRANSFERRED SCHOOLS COMMITTEE

The following nominations were approved:

Bryan Gould, St John's High School, Dundee City
William Izzard, Holyrood Secondary School, Glasgow City
Anne McHugh, St Bride's High School, South Lanarkshire.

c) REPORT ON CHANGES TO TEACHERS’ PENSIONS

Council heard a report on the latest proposals for changes to Teachers’ Pensions. It was noted that final proposals for consultation would be produced by July 2004. Local lobbies of MPs will take place across Scotland in the next few weeks as part of the Campaign to resist the changes. Details, which are now with District Secretaries, will shortly appear on the Association’s website.

d) EVIDENCE TO THE BICHARD INQUIRY

Council received copies of the written evidence given to the Bichard Inquiry which is examining issues related to the Soham murders of 2003. The Inquiry has asked for additional oral evidence to be given, and this will take place on 29th March. Full details of the evidence are available at www.bichardinquiry.org.uk.

e) NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Council Heard reports of changes in NQ examinations. Details of these are available at www.scotland.gov.uk/education/nationalqualifications

2. LIFE MEMBERSHIP

The Committee of Past Presidents has agreed to confer Life Membership on Willie Fraser, Highland District; Ray Calvin, Retiring General Secretary of Ulster Teachers’ Union and Sheena Hanley, Retired Depute General Secretary of Education International

The awards will be presented at Congress on 14-15 May 2004.

3. STUC CONGRESS

The following three motions have been submitted by the Association.

A. CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Congress expresses its concern at the rise in childhood obesity and commends current initiatives to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children and young people, which provide a springboard for further development.

Congress congratulates those local authorities which have addressed the issue of healthy eating in schools and calls upon the Scottish Executive to take steps to ensure that school meal providers actively promote healthy eating choices by providing only healthy options.

Further, Congress calls for the banning from Scottish schools of (1) vending machines selling high-sugar, high-fat and high-salt content snacks and drinks and (2) the advertising of such products.

B. HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Congress condemns the discrimination between the public and the private sectors in terms of enforcing health and safety legislation.

C. SOCIAL DEPRIVATION AND HOUSING PROVISION

Congress condemns the shortage of affordable, good quality housing which has been exacerbated by the selling off of the best quality, local authority housing provision, with no adequate programme of replacement. Congress deplores the fact that, in the 21st Century, there are still homeless families, and families living in sub-standard accommodation.

The children in such families suffer from multiple deprivation, which can adversely affect both their health and their educational attainment.

Congress urges the Scottish Executive to set up a Housing Task Force to explore ways of addressing this problem.

4. LAWLINE SERVICE

Members are reminded of the Association’s free legal advisory service Lawline. Morton Fraser Solicitors provides SSTA members with a free and confidential legal advice by telephone or by email. To make use of the service you can telephone on 07770 748556 or email at Lawline@morton-fraser.com

5. PRE-RETIREMENT COURSE - 19 JUNE 2004

Members who are retiring this year, or within the next two years, may be interesting in enrolling on a one-day pre-retirement course to be held in the Park Hotel, Falkirk on Saturday 19 June 2004. Forms and further information may be obtained by telephoning the office or by applying online at www.ssta.org.uk. Place are limited and are allocated by order of request.

6. TAX REBATE ON SUBSCRIPTIONS

Members are reminded that two-thirds of the annual subscription payable to the Association is allowable for income tax relief. A proforma letter detailing the subscription fees for the past six years is available from the Association office or on our website

ALAN McKENZIE, President
DAVID EAGLESHAM, General Secretary