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Teaching union lodges grievance with Moray Council over schools' reopening


By Lorna Thompson

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SCOTLAND'S largest teaching union has lodged a grievance with Moray Council as the region's schools prepare to welcome back pupils tomorrow.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), which represents just under 1000 members in Moray, has formally raised concerns with two Scottish councils, Moray and Scottish Borders, claiming failures to phase pupil returns and to engage in meaningful consultation and to reach agreement with teaching unions over reopening.

The EIS says this is in breach of Scottish Government guidelines.

Schools in the Scottish Borders reopened today, while Moray schools reopen to pupils tomorrow.

The EIS said there was a lack of discussion around using the flexibility of a phased return for pupils, putting staff under "intense pressure" over schools' reopening. It said teachers must be consulted on the safety of schools.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: "The recent EIS national survey indicated majority support from members for industrial action, if required, to ensure the safety of staff and pupils in our schools."

A Moray Council spokesperson said the region's head teachers and unions had been consulted in recent weeks.

A council spokesperson said: "We discussed return-to-school guidance with trade unions throughout the school summer holidays and published this guidance following seven virtual consultations with head teachers prior to the start of term.

"There are arrangements in place across our schools to help pupils and staff phase back to normal in the first few days, including staggered starts and soft introductions to the curriculum, particularly for those in transition years of P1 and S1."

The EIS has lodged a grievance with Moray Council over phased pupil returns and the level of consultation and agreement with teaching unions over schools reopening.
The EIS has lodged a grievance with Moray Council over phased pupil returns and the level of consultation and agreement with teaching unions over schools reopening.

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