Pay increase formally agreed
Teachers are to be awarded a 1 per cent pay rise for the current academic year and 2014-15, it has been announced. The two-year pay deal was agreed by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, which also formally confirmed the new terms for supply teachers. Short-term staff will now have to work for only two days in a row instead of five before being paid at their full rate. Education secretary Michael Russell said it was a fair agreement in the current financial climate. Tom Tracey, salaries convener for the EIS teaching union, said the organisation was pleased with the improved terms for short-term supply.
Regional responsibility for ex-minister
Former Labour first minister Henry McLeish has been given a leading role in further education. Mr McLeish is one of 11 regional chairs appointed to speak on behalf of the new regionalised colleges, and will take responsibility for Glasgow. Education secretary Michael Russell said he was “delighted” to welcome the new chairs. General secretary of the EIS teaching union, Larry Flanagan, said he hoped colleges would become “more accountable and transparent”.
`Legendary’ educationalist passes away
A highly regarded lecturer who worked at the University of Glasgow for more than 30 years has died aged 75. Malcolm MacKenzie joined the university’s department of education in 1967 and remained there for the rest of his career. He was an expert in educational management and one of the founding members of the British Educational Management and Administration Society. His skill as a supervisor of research theses was described as “legendary”.
Guiding students to healthy choices
An expert group has produced new guidance to help caterers and teachers encourage children to choose their food more wisely. Produced with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the guidance calls for schools to champion “fresh, local, seasonable produce”. The EIS teaching union, which successfully campaigned for free school meals to be introduced for all children in P1-3, said the move would help to raise attainment and address poverty.
Reprimand for intoxicated maths teacher
A teacher has been reprimanded by the GTCS after being convicted of drink-driving. Stewart Smyth, an Inverclyde maths teacher, was caught driving with more than three times the permitted levels of alcohol in his blood on 2 November 2012. Mr Smyth also admitted to the GTCS’s fitness to teach panel that, on the same day, he had been under the influence of alcohol while at work. The panel ruled that no physical harm had been caused to any student and that the incidents were isolated. Mr Smyth had taken steps to address the issue and there was evidence to prove his good character and history, it found.
