Andrew O’Halloran (Dumfries and Galloway) in successfully moving this motion on behalf of Council, spoke about the many ways in which ill mental health can affect us all. Mr O’Halloran further raised the issue of trauma stemming from discrimination, noting that for those who experience inequality due to their protected characteristic, the impact can be much more severe.

The motion was seconded by Nikhat Yusaf (Edinburgh) who spoke powerfully on her own experience, about how our intersectional privileges and dis-privileges influence the ways in which society responds to us and in turn, shapes our mental health.

There were several speakers in support, who shared the insidious everyday impact of microaggressions, expressed solidarity with those affected and acknowledged the wealth of knowledge and support existing in minoritised communities which can help shape a tailored wellbeing offer.

Gerard Wilkie (Edinburgh) moved this motion to strong support from delegates, detailing the experience of his school becoming targeted by media misinformation in relation to their LGBT Charter status. Wilkie further raised concern that the current narrative of misinformation is reminiscent of that which surrounded Section 28/Section 2A in Scotland. Section 28 was part of a local government policy, that prevented the spending of public money to “promote homosexuality” in schools and was surrounded by widespread moral panic and disinformation about LGBT people.

Centring on lived experience of this minoritised group, Claire Robertson (Edinburgh) seconded the motion, sharing the views of transgender pupils in her school, who emphasised the importance for all children to have their identity, wishes and privacy respected, their experience of having to keep quiet to avoid bullying, and a feeling that society sacrifices transgender people’s comfort by prioritising people who are not transgender.

Speakers lined up in support of the motion, which was passed by delegates. The passing of the motion instructed Council to develop all-member professional learning and guidance on how to address misinformation and develop the EIS’s support for transgender learners and staff.

he motion called for opposition to all forms of discrimination and condemned attempts to use the conflict in Palestine and Israel to promote antisemitism, racism and Islamophobia.

In moving the motion, Nuzhat Uthmani (Glasgow) cautioned delegates that despite legislative protection, we appear to be moving backwards in a political landscape permeated by racist rhetoric, where incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia have significantly increased in the last eight months.

Andrew Fullwood (Glasgow) said, “When we are attacked for standing up for oppressed groups, we have to redouble our efforts and fight even harder.”

William Insch, Glasgow local association delegate passionately moved motion 28 urging EIS Council to increase campaigning and awareness of reasonable adjustments for teachers and lecturers with disabilities, including those with invisible disabilities. Drawing from his own personal experiences, William said, “As teachers we differentiate and put provisions in place for our pupils. But, what is there for staff? There is little support put in place for staff with disabilities, and less so for staff whose disabilities are not always visible. Everyone, including us as teachers needs support. And we must ensure that our voice is valued, heard, and listened to.”

Seconding the motion, Shauna Richardson (Glasgow) reminded AGM that, “Disabilities are not just physical. They cannot always be seen.” Emphasising the importance of greater support and awareness for reasonable adjustments for disabled college lecturers, Eileen Imlah outlined that, “Reasonable Adjustments are continuing challenges in colleges for staff. It is so disappointing that in 2024 we are still fighting this and employers and society using the medical model of disability. The social model points out that it is society that disables people.”

Mark Allan (Midlothian) built on the theme of the inclusion of worker voice and reasonable adjustments, saying, “One of the biggest adjustments any employers or school can take on reasonable adjustments is to be listened to. Having a voice is so important.”

First time delegate Tracey Millar from Renfrewshire local association moves motion 29 instructing EIS Council to investigate and report on: the number of disabled teachers and the number of part-time teachers occupying promoted posts; and to campaign for improvements for under-represented groups in promoted posts across education in Scotland. Outlining the challenges and barriers, Tracey said, “The opportunity to seek promoted posts when part-time is difficult. Part-time promoted posts exist, but you can’t find them. There are lots of benefits to having people in part-time posts, and this must be celebrated.”

Speaking to the beneficiaries of part-time promoted posts, Elaine Smith from Renfrewshire Council said, “There is a pool of talent that is being lost, and massively lost because there is a lack of promoted flexible and part-time opportunities.”

Stressing the multiple inequalities that some part-time and minoritised teachers face in regards to achieving aspirations of promotion, Adela Mansur from Edinburgh local association passionately stated, “I have hoped of becoming a senior leader. It is very challenging in Scotland. Part-time teachers are not valued by local authorities, and some senior leaders. Being part-time is a barrier to promotion. Disabled workers are warriors. Disabled workers, overcome many challenges before even beginning to take on the challenges of work”

Andrew Fullwood (Glasgow) seconded the motion, which was passed by AGM.