Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

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WARNING ON TEACHER SHORTAGE

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association today issued a warning to all local authorities about the effects of the treatment of cover teachers on long-term shortages.
“We continue to be notified of attempts by some local authorities to implement ‘Burger King’ style contracts for cover teachers, leading to huge differences in pay for teachers doing almost identical hours,” said David Eaglesham, SSTA General Secretary. “Our view is, and always has been, that cover teachers should be employed for whole days and paid for whole days. Despite this, we still see teachers being pressured to accept work for only parts of a day, and even two separate parts within one day. All of this is carried only in an effort to save costs and not for the benefit of young people. We call on all local authorities to revert the original practice of employing teachers for a whole day or days.”
The position of cover teachers will become even more critical to the available pool of teachers in coming months and years. As the age profile sees much greater numbers of teachers retiring, the system will have to work doubly hard to maintain the number of teachers and to increase it to the promised total of 53,000.
“If cover teachers are not properly paid, they are very likely to become disenchanted with either their employer or with teaching in general. Losing these teachers, many of them young teachers with a whole career potentially before them, will only compound the impending staffing crisis which will face our schools. Employers need to act now to avoid the spectre of part-time education and bonus schemes to attract new teachers. Penny pinching now will lead to much greater costs in the future.”
Further details from:David Eaglesham,
General Secretary

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SSTA WELCOMES PENSION REFORMS

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) today welcomed the proposals on revised pensions for teachers which have been issued by the SPPA (Scottish Public Pensions Agency).
“These proposals represent a very positive conclusion to a lengthy period of negotiation about what has been one of the most controversial issues in recent years” said David Eaglesham, General Secretary of SSTA.
“Against a background where defined benefits pension schemes are under considerable threat, both for new and existing employees, the proposals will provide the security of a final salary scheme for both all existing teachers and future recruits to the profession, together with improved benefits for death in service and for partners. There will also be greater choice and flexibility with regard to retirement age, and future new entrants will benefit from a 1/60 accrual rate per year of service.”
“There are some adverse aspects of the package which will not please teachers, principally the increased contribution rate (at 6.4%), and significant issues for teachers currently on career breaks. However, the overall effect is to provide a stable and satisfactory pension scheme for all teachers in Scotland for generations to come.”
“When the previous proposals made in 2005 were put out for consultation, this Association and its members made it clear that those proposals were not acceptable. I believe that the current proposals will find a much greater level of acceptance amongst SSTA members and the profession in general. I would urge all teachers to make their views known.”
A summary of the details of the proposed changes is attached. Full details and a response form that can be downloaded for printing can be found at sppa.gov.uk/pension_reform/teachers.htm. The Consultation closes on 5 January 2007,
and the new scheme would take effect from 1 April 2007.
Further information fromDAVID EAGLESHAM
General Secretary

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PETER PEACOCK, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND YOUNG PEOPLE

It is with regret that the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association learned today of the resignation through ill-health of Peter Peacock, Minister for Education and Young People.

“While we fully understand the choice he has made”, said David Eaglesham, the Association’s General Secretary, “and wish him future health and happiness, his departure is a significant loss for the education community in Scotland.”
“In his time as Minister”, Mr Eaglesham continued, “he has undoubtedly had the good of young people in Scotland at the forefront of his agenda throughout and has been one of the most able ministers to have held the post. Representatives from the Association met with him only last Tuesday and he remained as dynamic and committed as ever.”
Mr Eaglesham concluded, “We thank him for his contribution to Scottish education and sincerely hope that he enjoys improved health in the future.”
Further details fromDAVID EAGLESHAM
General Secretary

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SSTA CALLS FOR END TO EXAM CHEATING

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association today called on the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Qualifications Authority to act promptly to reduce and possibly eliminate cheating which may exist in our examination system.

“Over the years it has become increasingly evident that a small minority of pupils can have access to internet resources which, if used inappropriately, will give rise to an unfair advantage in the examination” said David Eaglesham, General Secretary.
“A wide range of courses at National Qualification and Standard Grade require the submission of course work as part of the examination. It is becoming an increasingly difficult problem to separate legitimate use of external sources and plagiarism in the work of candidates. This is exacerbated by online services which offer a “ready cooked” piece which purports to be capable of gaining a specific grade in the examination”.
“Despite the commendable efforts of the SQA, plagiarism and direct input from third parties is creating a major challenge for our examination system. We have to act now to eliminate the risk in coming years.”
The Association is calling for new standards to be adopted within the Curriculum for Excellence to ensure that all course work is completed in fully verifiable conditions to ensure that plagiarism and collusion cannot play a part in grades awarded to pupils. The Curriculum for Excellence will require some re-design of examinations and will be an ideal opportunity to tackle this growing problem.
“We must act now to tackle what will only become an ever greater problem due to miniaturisation of technology. We must be able to reassure pupils, parents and the wider community that examinations remain a scrupulous, fair and accurate illustration of the true ability of a pupil.”
“We would commend research into verification systems now in use in some schools in the USA which will also help to combat plagiarism by using the technology to police the technology.
Further information from
David Eaglesham
General Secretary22 December 2006