 Class size is seen as key by the EIS |
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has issued a challenge to the next Scottish Parliament to cut class sizes. The call came as the EIS launched its own manifesto ahead of May's Holyrood elections.
The Manifesto for Education sets out 40 priorities for teaching and learning at all levels in Scotland's schools, colleges and universities.
Scotland's biggest teaching union is hoping parties will take heed of what it believes are key needs of the education system.
 Perhaps the most important issue which must be addressed to enable further progress is a radical reduction in the class size maximum  |
The document includes commitments to the landmark McCrone deal on pay and a call to set a maximum class size of 20 pupils. The union is also seeking fully-trained and qualified teachers for every nursery in Scotland and equality of access to information technology.
The 16-page document will be circulated to educational organisations, MSPs and political parties over the next few weeks.
EIS President Alana Ross said it was vital that the voice of teachers and lecturers was heard during the election process and that education topped politicians' priority lists.
"The priorities within this manifesto reflect existing EIS policy areas and call on MSPs elected to the next parliament to act for the good of Scottish education," said Ms Ross.
"Every current MSP, each main political party and every education establishment in Scotland will be sent copies of the EIS manifesto.
"While the EIS as an organisation is politically independent and free of party-political affiliation, it is important that we drive home the importance of education to potential members of the Holyrood parliament.
 Teachers want class sizes set at 20 |
"The EIS will not encourage anyone to vote for any particular party - it will be down to each of us to cast a vote for education by supporting the party whose policy for education most closely matches our own beliefs and aspirations." The union claimed much progress had been achieved since the inception of the Scottish Parliament.
But its leaders insist there is still a lot of work to be done to deliver a world-class education system for the 21st century.
Ms Ross said: "Perhaps the most important issue which must be addressed to enable further progress is a radical reduction in the class size maximum.
"It is simply not possible to deliver a 21st century education with maximum class sizes that were arrived at in the middle of the last century."
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