Letter: Reject Cosla cuts

IN OUR current economic climate, changes and cuts are inevitable. The proposals by the Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) to change the pay and conditions of teachers, however, goes a step too far in its discrimination against supply teachers.

Supply teaching is often carried out by experienced teachers who bring a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to each job they undertake. They are a vital asset to our education system, supporting the work of class teachers and schools to educate our children. Under the new proposals, supply teachers will be treated like second-class citizens by - in some cases - taking a pay cut of almost a third and will be paid for only a 25-hour working week.

The Educational Institute of Scotland, the largest teaching union, is urging members to say yes to these new proposals, claiming jobs will be lost if they do not. Where is the solidarity for fellow members? I am sure if these cuts were being made across the board, the EIS would be urging everyone to vote no.

The Scottish Government has allowed too many new teachers to be trained and wasted money when the jobs are not there (failing to fulfil its promise on reduced class sizes), and now wants to make sure probationers are guaranteed jobs at the end of their year in class. What hope is there for our education system if many experienced and qualified teachers can't get jobs because it is cheaper to hire newly-qualified teachers? Or if they are being pushed out of teaching altogether because they can't afford to work for peanuts?

Millions of pounds is still being spent on our new curriculum for excellence but if we don't have quality teachers to implement it then it is worthless and everyone will suffer, most importantly the children.

Sandie Lloyd

Linton Bank Drive

West Linton

THE current vote on the pay and conditions of teachers' employment necessitated by changes Cosla wishes to propose is a disgrace.

The proposals relating to supply teachers is beyond understanding and the fact that the EIS is backing them makes one think members should resign and join a union that will support them in this crisis.

Supply teachers need to be top notch as they are expected to step in at no notice and continue the class's education when the regular teacher is indisposed. This is not a job that can be done by a new and unskilled teacher unless one is willing to write off the day's learning.

There are surely many penpushers in education departments who could be sacrificed without much effect on our children's education. But the system will be severely damaged if supply teachers are not up to the job. One would not wish to go in for an operation if your surgeon was sick and he was being replaced by a trainee doctor.

Ian Ross

Eden Lane

Edinburgh