The 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the EIS will be held in Dundee on the 4th – 6th of June. The AGM is the main decision-making body of the EIS. AGM instructs Council, which in turn instructs the Committees of the Council.

Around 350 members of the EIS including the Office Bearers, members of Council and delegates from local associations and self-governing associations (EIS-FELA and EIS ULA) are eligible to attend and vote at the AGM.

Here, we describe the key events that take place over the course of the AGM and the order of business for this year’s conference.

The Formal Opening Session

This session embodies the traditions of the Institute which was founded in 1847. The President, Adam Sutcliffe from Aberdeenshire, welcomes the guests from kindred organisations in the United Kingdom and Ireland, together with other trade union and official guests, before giving his retiring address.

Then the Convener of the Board of Examiners presents the members who have been admitted as Fellows of the EIS.

The incoming President (Mark Smith, North Ayrshire) and Vice-President (Valerie Inkster, Shetland) will then be introduced to the meeting and make short speeches.

First Business Session

This session is extremely important as it is where the AGM is able to review the work of Council and its Committees over the past twelve months. This work comes before the consideration and debating of motions dealing with new policies.

Consideration of Motions and Amendments

The remainder of the AGM is taken up with debating the motions and amendments which have been submitted by Council, local associations and self-governing associations. The outcome of these motions will determine the priorities and work of the EIS in the year ahead. The motions and amendments are grouped into subject headings and blocks of time are allocated to motions under each heading.

This year there are 69 motions to be debated as follows:

  • 24 on Education matters;
  • 6 on Employment Relations matters;
  • 12 on Equality matters;
  • 6 on Salaries matters;
  • 21 on Organisation matters;

Fringe Events

This year, the EIS will be holding 2 separate fringe events. The Equality fringe entitled, Let’s change the story, looks at disinformation. The EIS has for some time been concerned with a rise in disinformed and prejudicial narratives within society, and educational establishments. 

These harmful stories have real life impacts on our members, our learners, and our wider communities. How do we change the story? This EIS Equality Fringe will consider how we can communicate in ways that resonate – to foster trust and empathy, and carry the potential for positive change. 

The second fringe is entitled EIS Organising Fringe: Health & Safety and ASN. The EIS has been advocating throughout the SU4QE campaign for increased resourcing for ASN within Scottish schools. This fringe will consider ways that Branches and Local Associations can use a health & safety approach to organise and campaign for increased ASN resources locally.

Speakers

EIS President, Adam Sutcliffe, will deliver his address on Thursday the 4th June, where he will focus on his year as president, the successes of the EIS over the past year and some of the challenges that lie ahead.

EIS General Secretary, Andrea Bradley, will deliver her annual address on Friday 5th June. Her speech will include an overview of the campaigning work of the union and the progress that has been made, along with the priorities that will require the attention of the EIS as our campaigns continue.

The EIS has also extended invitations to STUC General Secretary, Roz Foyer, The General Secretary of UTU, Jacqui White and General Secretary of Education International, David Edwards to address delegates at the Conference.

At the time of writing, the new Scottish Government Cabinet had not been confirmed, so no invitation to speak had yet been issued to a Scottish Government representative.

Further information on the EIS AGM, including a full list of motions to be debated, will be available on the EIS website www.eis.org.uk. Regular updates will be posted on the AGM section of our website, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky accounts throughout the event, so that members can keep updated as resolutions are agreed.