The Scottish government has unveiled proposals to reduce classroom contact time for teachers, aiming to improve both teacher wellbeing and pupil outcomes.
Options being considered include a flexible four-day teaching week and nationally agreed minimum standards for pupil learning hours. Such measures could allow for later school start times, extended breaks, or restructured school days.
The move comes as teaching unions, including the EIS and NASUWT, continue to ballot members over potential strike action due to the government’s previous inaction on reducing teachers’ time in the classroom.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth emphasized that the proposals signal a “clear commitment to teachers and improving education”. She added that the changes would give teachers more time to prepare lessons, engage in professional learning, and support wider school improvement initiatives.
The reforms would also provide teachers with increased capacity to respond to the diverse needs of pupils, including those requiring additional support (ASN).
The Scottish government said the plans, combined with a new pay deal, would form a new “National Deal” for teachers.
Gilruth said: “It is a statement of intent to empower Scotland’s teachers with the time, trust and tools they need to deliver transformative learning. By investing in teacher capacity, the aim is to create richer learning experiences and raise standards for every learner. Working together, we can shape a future where reduced class contact time is not just a logistical change but a catalyst for deeper professional engagement, improved wellbeing, and better outcomes for every learner.”
