Teachers in curriculum aid call

Saturday 9 February 2013

MORE than two-thirds of teachers and lecturers feel dissatisfied by the support provided to them during the implementation of the new curriculum, a survey has found.

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ELLEN THOMAS

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union has published the interim results of its national survey looking at progress implementing Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) for S4 pupils and above.

A snapshot of 1000 respondents revealed 67.7% felt support from local authorities or colleges had been unsatisfactory.

Meanwhile, 68.9% and 67.9% felt Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) respectively had given unsatisfactory support.Some 40% of teachers and lecturers felt their own school or college has not received the previously agreed additional financial support for the new national qualifications.More than three-quarters (78.5%) of teaching staff felt the promised supply of additional new course materials remains vital to the success of CfE implementation, while 78.4% said detailed exemplification of assessments from the SQA is essential.Kay Barnett, convener of the EIS education committee, said: "While these interim results only provide a snapshot of the overall picture of CfE senior phase development, a number of key issues of concern are already apparent."Secondary teachers and further education lecturers are very clear on the need for better information and resource materials to support the implementation of the senior phase of CfE."The fact that more than three-quarters of teachers and lecturers are still calling for both new course materials and proper assessment exemplification from the SQA to support the new national qualifications highlights significant concern within the teaching profession."We know new materials are being produced, but the message from Scotland's teaching professionals is that we need them now and we need them to be of high quality."Last year, the union called for a one-year delay on the introduction of the national qualifications amid concerns there would not be time to prepare.Ms Barnett said: "It is absolutely essential for the Scottish Government to ensure all the promised resources are put in place to support teachers and lecturers in schools and colleges. Time is running short with teaching of the new courses now just four months away in many schools."A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We have listened to teachers and responded with extra support. A wide range of course and assessment materials are already available for the new qualifications, with more to come in the next three months. Local authorities have welcomed the support from Education Scotland and SQA as well as the additional £3.5 million provided by the Scottish Government to support implementation."

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Education

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Teachers in curriculum aid call

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