Think of the Children
Scotland's largest teaching union - the EIS - is apparently gearing up for a campaign of industrial action - short of a strike.
Now this is a favorite tactic of the teaching unions - quite cynical in my view - because it aims to minimise the damage or disruption to their members.
So by refusing to co-operate with one thing or another - as opposed to going on strike - the teachers don't lose out, financially at least.
In this case, teachers are threatening to withdraw their co-operation over the introduction of a new curriculum - which everyone agrees is long overdue and is necessary to improve standards in Scottish schools.
So who loses out if the new curriculum gets delayed?
Well Scotland's children and young people - of course.
But the EIS say they've got that covered already - because they say they're acting in the best interests of children and young people.
How they know that is anyone's guess- it has to be said.
Which parents did they ask or consult - how do they know the views of children and young people?
Maybe it's just a case of - 'teacher knows best'.
In my view, industrial action short of a strike is a complete cop-out - have the courage of your convictions and go the whole hog - or don't bother at all, would be my advice.
Because the unions' trying to hold parents, children and young people to ransom over education standards - is not going to win the public over to the teachers' cause.
Which is what industrial action short of a strike would amount to - blackmail dressed up to look like an industrial dispute.
Now this is a favorite tactic of the teaching unions - quite cynical in my view - because it aims to minimise the damage or disruption to their members.
So by refusing to co-operate with one thing or another - as opposed to going on strike - the teachers don't lose out, financially at least.
In this case, teachers are threatening to withdraw their co-operation over the introduction of a new curriculum - which everyone agrees is long overdue and is necessary to improve standards in Scottish schools.
So who loses out if the new curriculum gets delayed?
Well Scotland's children and young people - of course.
But the EIS say they've got that covered already - because they say they're acting in the best interests of children and young people.
How they know that is anyone's guess- it has to be said.
Which parents did they ask or consult - how do they know the views of children and young people?
Maybe it's just a case of - 'teacher knows best'.
In my view, industrial action short of a strike is a complete cop-out - have the courage of your convictions and go the whole hog - or don't bother at all, would be my advice.
Because the unions' trying to hold parents, children and young people to ransom over education standards - is not going to win the public over to the teachers' cause.
Which is what industrial action short of a strike would amount to - blackmail dressed up to look like an industrial dispute.
