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Teachers opposed to plans for 33-period school week in Dundee

EIS Union Dundee secretary David Baxter.
EIS Union Dundee secretary David Baxter.

Teachers in Dundee have signalled their clear opposition to the city council’s plans to introduce a 33-period week at all secondary schools.

More than 60% of teachers oppose the plans, while more than 26% believe they have not received enough information about them.

Just one teacher in 10 surveyed supports the proposal, which the council has said it plans to implement at the urging of head teachers.

The findings were made by the EIS teaching union, which surveyed teachers at secondary schools across the city.

The union’s Dundee secretary, David Baxter, said he hoped the council would take careful note of teachers’ views before moving forward.

Under the proposals, a 33-period model will be introduced throughout Dundee from May 2016, with all schools using the same schedule.

Pupils would finish at 3pm on Mondays and Fridays, with six 50-minute periods during the day, while they would have seven periods on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, finishing at 3.50pm.

Mr Baxter said: “The Dundee local association of the EIS surveyed members working in secondary schools to ascertain their views on Dundee City Council’s proposed change to a 33-period week.

“After a very good response from Dundee members, the results clearly indicate that the majority of teachers do not agree with the proposals.

“We hope that Dundee City Council will take cognisance of teachers’ views when making any decision surrounding the proposed 33-period week.”

Mr Baxter added: “It is significant that over a quarter of the EIS members surveyed felt that they needed more information from the council to make an informed decision.

“A recurring theme of some of the individual comments we received was that there was not enough detail given in presenting the proposed 33-period week model and there was not a clear rationale for change.”

The EIS has said it will continue to discuss the matter with Dundee City Council.

Education chiefs believe the shift could deliver substantial learning benefits, as well as harmonise the timetables of schools across Dundee.

It could also provide greater time for physical education as well as allow a “good balance of study” for pupils.

Parents have opposed previous attempts to change the timetable and pupils have also expressed disquiet about the plan, with youngsters at Morgan Academy gaining hundreds of signatories to a petition.

Angus Council is considering a plan that mirrors the Dundee proposals.