Received from: EIS
Congress affirms that quality education is foundational to a fair, prosperous, and cohesive society. It equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values to shape, sustain and defend an inclusive, cohesive, democratic society in which the rights of all citizens are equally respected and upheld.
Congress asserts that a properly funded education system empowers young people to develop critical thinking skills- the ability to analyse information; distinguish between fact and opinion; identify bias, misinformation and disinformation; challenge the false narratives that underpin the growth of the far-right; make informed contributions to public discourse and participate effectively in democracy.
Congress endorses the principle of ‘preventative spend’ – early investment in services to prevent health, social and economic problems from emerging and/or escalating, reducing long-term social and economic costs to individuals and society. Congress recognises that preventative spend is a proven positive alternative to short-termist policymaking.
Congress commends EIS-commissioned research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (Scotland), demonstrating that Scotland could afford, with the requisite political decision-making, to invest more in education as part of a preventative spend strategy, delivering long-term social and economic benefits.
Congress asserts that social cohesion in the UK is being undermined by the current lack of strategic investment by governments in public services, including education.
Congress, therefore, instructs the General Council to campaign for the UK government, and call on the devolved governments, to adopt preventative spend strategies, including commitment to additional ring-fenced funding for education as a fundamental social good.
Educational Institute of Scotland
AMENDMENT
Add new point:
Congress further instructs the General Council to campaign for fully funded pay awards for teachers and college staff, recognising that unfunded settlements deepen financial pressures, increase workload, reduce staffing levels and undermine the quality of education.
NASUWT