Ministers are being urged to commission a further McCrone-style review of Scottish teaching, with a root-and-branch examination of pay and conditions to take account of increasing workloads and additional responsibilities that professionals face.
The original McCrone agreement, which was introduced 16 years ago, gave teachers a pay rise of 20% over four years, and provided a template for terms and conditions that has lasted until now.
Tavish Scott, the Scottish Lib Dem education spokesman, said: “Teaching is an amazing profession but there is an urgent need to make it more desirable to potential and existing teachers.”
In response, deputy first minister John Swinney said: “We have reviewed demands placed on schools by local authorities in relation to curriculum for excellence. Teachers’ pay and conditions of service are matters for the Scottish negotiating committee for teachers.
“Negotiations are ongoing and the Scottish government will play its part in that process.”
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Meanwhile, Scottish government sources denied that it was preparing to water down plans for sweeping new powers for head teachers to help reverse falling attainment levels in schools, despite a backlash from trade unions and local authorities.