Warning to Swinney over powers for schools

Scotland's largest teaching union has warned John Swinney against devolving too many education decisions to the level of schools.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) called on the Education Secretary to ensure that a review of school governance did not force teachers to make decisions “about the wrong things”.

Addressing an event in Glasgow, EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said a re-assessment of the relationship between the Scottish Government, councils and schools was not unwelcome. But he warned that Swinney’s review should focus on what will make a difference in the classroom and not issues such as who runs the staff pay roll or school maintenance, which he said would be a “diversion”.