Education Minister Sam Galbraith is stressing teachers, local authorities and parents must work together to improve standards in Scottish schools.

EIS President John Patton said he welcomed the change in tone but warned it must be backed up by action to reduce "intolerable" workloads facing teachers.

Recognition

Mr Patton said Mr Galbraith should be commended in giving "clear recognition" of the value of work done by Scottish schools.

The union wants teachers' workload addressed

"He is right to acknowledge that developments and improvements in education depend on the hard work and commitment of teachers and young people - and cannot be achieved through government diktat and imposed changes in the law."

But Mr Patton said bringing in a more coherent way of running education meant better planning for the future.

He continued: "This means ensuring that teachers never again have imposed upon them the intolerable workload burdens which have characterised the last few years of massive curricular change in both primary and secondary schools.

"Legislation alone cannot solve the issue of teachers' workload but if a genuine partnership is to develop between teachers and the new Scottish government, a real reduction in those pressures must be a result of the measures being announced by the government," he added.

Mr Patton also welcomed a number of specific proposals in the draft Bill, including the clear timetable set for the introduction of nursery education for all three and four-year-olds whose parents wish it.