Sunita Nayyer (Council and South Lanarkshire) successfully moved a motion calling on Council to continue to build leadership capacity and engagement of the EIS Equality Networks by continuing the Our Voices in Union project with a new cohort of delegates.

Sharing her own experience of participating in the course, Ms Nayyer said that the course is “not just about individual growth. It’s about collective power. This course builds networks, connections that cross local authorities, experiences, and backgrounds. It’s a space where solidarity becomes more than a slogan. It becomes a lived experience.”

Christina Fleming (Council and Dundee) seconded the motion, noting the value of equality related leadership learning.

The EIS Branch Survey of 2023 shed a harsh light on the unacceptable levels of violence and aggressive behaviour in educational establishments.

Nicola Fisher (Council and Glasgow) successfully moved a motion to create resources on tackling far-right misinformation and disinformation, and on tackling misogyny in education.

“Many of our learners are drowning in a toxic soup of online sexism and misogyny, misinformation and disinformation of far-right narratives, of poverty, domestic abuse, lack of investment in education, mental health issues going unidentified and supported, and alienation, isolation and trauma”.

In seconding the motion, Claire Robertson (Council and Edinburgh), noted the impact of violence and aggression on teachers and on the delivery of teaching and learning on a daily basis. She observed that it is little surprise that teachers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep going. Valerie Inkster (Council and Shetland) added, “We strive to do our best for children and young people, and don’t deserve to be treated in this way.”

Natasha York (Scottish Borders), supporting, raised concern that as violence and aggression rises in educational establishments children and young people may learn that such behaviours can continue with impunity.

Speakers noted the importance of resources and investment to tackle the harmful attitudes underlying violent behaviour, and support was duly given by AGM, which unanimously voted in favour of the motion.

Emma Blake (North Ayrshire) moved a motion drawing attention to the challenges faced by provisionally registered teachers, who identify with one or more protected characteristics. Emma highlighted the recent data from the GTCS equality survey and spoke clearly about the “challenging” experiences many such teachers face, an assertion borne out by the fact that “a greater proportion of BAME and LGBT+ teachers take the flexible route.”

She referenced that those on the flexible route often have no support from a mentor and no support to secure placements. Emma expanded on the issues, identifying “negative first time teaching experiences, problems of securing a post, and a generalised lack of support.”

Emma noted that the Scottish Government has installed some progressive programmes such as the Building Racial Literacy Programme, but argued that, “If structural barriers are not addressed, such initiatives can only have minimal or limited impact”.

The motion calls for an investigation and report of the issues surrounding the higher proportion of teachers with protected characteristics taking the flexible route, with a view towards identifying ways in which the diversity of the teaching profession in Scotland can be improved. The motion was formally seconded by Mary Gibson (North Ayrshire) and passed unanimously by AGM.

Nikhat Yusaf (Edinburgh) moved motion 19 ‘Challenging anti-Muslim Prejudice’ calling upon the EIS Council to review and update the EIS’s guidance on anti-Muslim prejudice and Islamophobia and to investigate other relevant material on religious discrimination.

Noting the value and importance of the existing guidance, the evolving social and political landscape in Scotland and stereotypes associated with the Delegate, said, “Islamophobia is rooted in racism. Definitions are not enough. Muslims come in all shapes and sizes. We need to ensure the diversity of Muslim people is also highlighted.”

Seconding the motion, Julie Chrystal (Fife) said everyone has the right to be “safe, respected and understood” and strongly emphasised the importance of updating the EIS guidance on challenging anti-Muslim prejudice, urgency, care and a strong intersectional lens. AGM delegates voted in support of the motion.

In successfully moving a motion to increase support for deaf young people, Paula McEwan (Inverclyde and Council) highlighted the postcode lottery that currently exists in educational provision, noting that no deaf young person who wishes access to a BSL interpreter should have to resort to legal action.

She went on to reference the significant difference between the current ratio of teachers to deaf young people in mainstream settings and the ratio specified in Appendix 2.9 of the SNCT handbook for pupils with a significant hearing impairment in special school settings. Ms McEwan went on to outline how the lack of BSL interpreters in schools is negatively impacting learners, saying, “If hearing impaired young people can’t access what is in the classroom, how can they engage in their learning?”

Seconding the motion, Julie Chrystal (Fife and Council) stated that, “BSL recognition as a national language isn’t just symbolic, BSL is more than a language – it is a lifeline.” She went on to describe how families with deaf children shouldn’t need to uproot their lives to access basic education resources and called for sufficient teachers of the deaf to work with young people.

The motion was opposed by Andrew Brown (Dundee and Council) who expressed concerns around the potential cost to teachers of undergoing BSL training and questioned whether that would be met by employers. He also stated that children who are visually impaired should be included in the motion.

Speaking in support of the motion, Nicola Fisher (Glasgow and Council) highlighted that the issues around the cost of training should be taken into account when lobbying the Scottish Government and COSLA on this issue. Paula McEwan (Inverclyde) summed up, agreeing that teachers need support to engage with training and should not be expected to pay for it themselves. The motion was overwhelmingly passed by AGM delegates.

Paula McEwan (Inverclyde and Council) moved a motion highlighting barriers for neurodivergent members during local authority recruitment processes and calling for improvements in reasonable adjustments. Paula spoke clearly about “inconsistencies in neurodivergent support from different local authorities” and identified that “diversity enriches our classrooms and also leads to better understanding for neurodivergent learners.”

Paula continued, “reasonable adjustments give neurodivergent candidates at interview the chance to be their very best and sends a powerful message that all candidates are welcome and that the employer embraces diverse hiring.”

Craig Duffy (Edinburgh) seconded the motion by stating that, “Excellent examples of great practice need to be shared and replicated across the country, as it can make all the difference to our colleagues, and fulfils employer’s statutory responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010).” AGM carried the motion unanimously.

“[Reasonable Adjustment Passports] cut down anxiety and stress when changes happen in the work environment, or staff move jobs.”

Eileen Imlah (FELA) successfully moved a motion instructing Council to investigate the potential for a system of Reasonable Adjustment Passports for all staff teaching in schools and colleges. Ms Imlah highlighted examples of successful implementation, which could be rolled out across Scotland.

Alison Murphy (Edinburgh) seconded the motion, highlighting that her local authority has started to use Reasonable Adjustment Passports. Noting: “they are an instrument that has the potential to help”, Ms Murphy suggested that a level of standardisation is needed across Scotland.

Carole Thorpe (Aberdeen) further supported the motion and Mark Ireland (Midlothian) shared personal experience of having a Reasonable Adjustment Passport, highlighting his “need for reassurance just to get to work in the morning”.

Noting her lived experience as a teacher with a disability and reasonable adjustment, Julie Ferguson from Orkney Local Association moved motion 23, “Updating EIS Reasonable Adjustments Guidance in the Workplace.”

The motion called on EIS council to update the EIS Reasonable Adjustments guidance and help members and reps access and understand the right to request reasonable adjustments as a disabled person under the Equality Act) 2010.

Speaking passionately, the mover said, “Without reasonable adjustments, I would not be teaching. It’s time to update the EIS booklet.”

Seconding the motion, Julie Hutchison stressed that, “Having reasonable adjustments can help people stay in teaching.” The mover emphasised that local authorities and schools should not be using budgeting as a barrier to implementing equality, fairness and ensuring teaching can be accessible. Julie shared her heartfelt personal story of her struggle with the barriers put in place to accessing and implementing her reasonable adjustment in education and urged EIS Council to support the motion as well as supporting wider work on reasonable adjustments in education.

Drawing from his own experiences and advocating for members who’ve experienced barriers to participation in the EIS and EIS AGM, Sean McNamara (North Lanarkshire) won the support of AGM with this motion.

Speaking powerfully, Sean said, “We can and should lead by example in making reasonable adjustments to remove potential barriers to full participation within the union. We stand shoulder
to shoulder and smash open any door that is closed to any worker. This is
our union.”