Teachers' Pay 'Must Have Legal Backing'

Teachers' in Scotland must have their pay conditions enshrined in law, according to union bosses.

At the moment, a body of Government, union and local authority representatives agree on the terms and conditions that teachers work to. But this has no legal backing, and as a result some councils are starting to make changes that teachers claim are unfair. They're demanding a legally-binding contract enshrining their terms of employment.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“Teachers’ pay and conditions of service are inextricably linked to the provision of high-quality education.

“Our public education system is a national system and to ensure that all children and young people receive their entitlement to be taught by teachers who are recognised and rewarded as highly skilled professionals and have working conditions which enable them to focus on teaching and learning, it is essential that teachers’ terms and conditions are guaranteed."