AN EMPHATIC message that the reduction of class sizes must remain a top priority for the Scottish Executive was sent out yesterday by the general secretary of Scotland’s largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland.

Delivering his keynote speech on the second day of the annual meeting of the EIS conference in Perth, Ronnie Smith told 350 delegates at the City Hall that class size reductions are essential to enable change and improvement in all areas of teaching and learning.

He said, “Class size is an issue that will not go away. And for good reason. We all know that cutting class size is a pre-requisite for the improved achievement to which we all aspire.

“The Scottish Executive promotes concepts of individualisation and personalisation of learn- ing—a move away from the old one-size-fits-all mass provision.

“The push is now on for personal learning planning. But that cannot happen effectively in classes of 33 or more. Pupils cannot receive the personal and individual attention and support now expected in 2005 in class sizes that were set nearly 30 years ago.

“The Executive commitment to reach 25 in Primary 1, and 20 for secondary 1 and two in English and maths by 2007 is a welcome, albeit challenging, target. It has been restated so often and so clearly that no one, certainly no teacher, will accept any resiling from it.”

Mr Smith added, “I caution against any attempt at dilution. We hear calls for more flexibility—that different pupils have different needs, and that head teachers should have more freedom to decide on class sizes in individual schools.

“We have no problem with that. That is not the issue. The issue is the limit on class size.

“It’s a bit like a speed limit. In built-up areas the limit is 30 mph, but that does not mean to say it is appropriate always to drive at 30. Sometimes much lower speeds are called for, but the top limit should never be exceeded.”

Indiscipline was described by Mr Smith as the principal concern of most teachers, but he pointed out that it is society’s problem, not just schools’.

“It seems to be the fashion at teacher union conferences to portray schools as battlegrounds where the generality of our young people, high on a daily diet of drink, drugs and gratuitous sexual promiscuity, engage in non-stop wanton acts of violence.

“I have to say, that is not the message I hear from EIS members not is it borne out by research. There is no basis for believing it is safer to teach in Baghdad than in Barrhead.

“Let there be no doubt, indiscipline is the principal concern of most teachers. But it is the incessant, low-level challenging behaviour that troubles teachers most—as it does many parents.

“There is little doubt we live in a society where there is less respect for authority, where public service workers like firefighters and the police may come under attack in carrying out their duties.

“The anti-social behaviour witnessed on our streets, football grounds and other places does not get left behind by the perpetrators as soon as they enter the school.”

He added, “There is no single, simple solution and the sooner we stop thinking there is one, the better. Schools have to play their part in managing and, hopefully, changing those behaviours and attitudes.

“But we cannot win the fight on our own. Teachers need to be confident that their head teachers and authorities will back them up and support them.”

* Mr Smith began his speech with reflections on Perth City Hall. He said, “This is the last occasion on which we will gather as an AGM in this building, which is soon to make way for a brand new purpose-built conference centre.

“For many delegates there will be fond memories of a fine venue which has housed many fascinating discussions over the years.”

* The EIS yesterday threw their weight behind a campaign to secure a change in the law which will preserve teachers’ anonymity during criminal proceedings.

A motion was put before the annual meeting by the EIS Council and the Glasgow Local Association, supported by delegates, that they seek to make this law change on court cases arising from their employment, “unless and until convicted.”

The issue arose earlier this year when a teacher was cleared of assaulting seven pupils at a school in central Scotland.

It has been argued that false accusations put teachers under great stress, making it more difficult for them to return to the classroom even when cleared.

Proposing the motion, Alana Ross said, “We cannot stop people being accused but we can protect their anonymity. We do not want to protect the guilty, only the innocent.”

The motion was seconded by Barry Carmichael.