news

COSLA has issued a response to an announcement from the EIS Teaching Union that they will ballot members on strike action.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann commented:

"We are disappointed that there are threats of disruption to children’s education. COSLA are working with the Scottish Government on a proposal to deliver this. Industrial action is in no-one’s best interests and will do nothing to improve the learning outcomes for Scotland’s young people."

Further information / context

  • The Scottish Education system has the lowest pupil to teacher ratio compared to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • The number of learning hours for a child in Scotland is typically around 25 per week.
  • This means that within primary schools the current 22.5 hours class contact time means a primary school child will be taught by 2 or more teachers in the course of a week.

Press queries

Please email press@cosla.gov.uk

8th October 2025