Scotland's Largest Teaching Union
for the promotion of Sound Learning

About the EIS

The EIS, as by far the biggest Scottish teaching union, has a firm commitment to quality education provision for all young people. Over the past 160 years the EIS has developed a central role as one of the most respected voices in education in Scotland. The EIS has developed robust policies for all stages of education from nursery, primary, secondary and special through to further and higher education.

The EIS, is committed to properly funded nursery education in all parts of Scotland. In the primary stage the EIS supports courses designed to meet the needs of the individual child. Beyond the primary school the EIS has consistently favoured the all through 6-year comprehensive secondary school. Over the years the EIS has supported Inclusive Education and also the role of the special school and its relationship to mainstream education.

The EIS develops policies covering the full range of educational and professional issues which impact on teachers in nursery, primary, secondary and special schools. Also, the EIS responds to consultative documents on educational matters from the Scottish Executive and other national bodies.

The EIS campaigns for quality continuing professional development for all teachers and, in partnership with a number of university providers, has responsibility for the delivery of a growing number of CPD opportunities.

Increasingly EIS policy development work includes information and advice which can be used as a resource for teachers. These include the following:-

EIS in Further and Higher Education

The EIS has around 8000 members in Further Education Colleges (FECs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Scotland. Members in these establishments are represented through the work of the EIS Further Education Lecturers' Association (EIS-FELA) and the EIS University Lecturers' Association (EIS-ULA).

The EIS-FELA is recognised by other trade unions affiliated to the STUC as the voice of further education professionals in Scotland and the EIS-FELA is the only lecturer trade union recognised by all of Scotland's Colleges.

The EIS-ULA is one of two trade unions recognised to represent academic interests on the national negotiating body the Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES).

Both the EIS-FELA and EIS-ULA are self-governing associations (SGAs) within the Institute structure with their own policy making structures including a National Executive and Annual Conference. As in all sectors of education the Institute is committed to the highest educational standards and supports EIS-FELA and EIS-ULA members on various different levels including national/local (pay and/or conditions), institutional (policy/procedure) and individual (discipline/grievance).

If you are employed as a lecturer in either a college or university and not yet a member of a trade union why not join the EIS today by joining on-line or by contacting your branch secretary.

EIS and Equality

The EIS has developed policies on all areas of equalities in education and is committed to pursuing the equalities agenda through policy development, training, awareness raising and publicity. The EIS encourages the development of positive policies in educational establishments at all levels and among local council and other employers. Significant in recent EIS work are the ‘Breaking Down the Barriers' documents on Sectarianism, Gender, Poverty, Anti-Racism and LGBT issues. Other areas of work include combatting bullying and harassment, sexism and age discrimination. The EIS is committed to the mainstreaming of Equality in all areas of its work.

The EIS has worked closely with the Scottish Executive and other national bodies in awareness raising of recent legislation covering the Equality Duties in relation to Race, Gender and Disability.

EIS and Anti-racism

Racism and race discrimination have no place in education. Anti-racist education recognises that the diversity of today's society in which all citizens have a right to participate and be valued. The existence of racism and prejudice and have a negative impact on the perpetrator as well as the victim. Above all, the EIS encourages commitment by teachers, as professionals, to combat such limiting and demeaning attitudes. Everyone has the right to work and learn free from fear. The EIS works actively in this area with our partners in education and has developed policies relevant to all schools, colleges and universities.

Organisation of the EIS

The Organisation Department is responsible for the principal decision making bodies within the Institute. This includes the Annual General Meeting (the final decision making body of the Institute in all matters of strategy and policy), The Council (the principal executive committee of the Institute) and the Executive Committee (responsible for the execution of policy on behalf of the Council). The Department also has responsibility for: Recruitment, Further & Higher Education, Political Liaison, Inter Union Relations and International Work.



The Educational Institute of Scotland , 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BH
T: +44 (0)131 225 6244, F: +44 (0)131 220 3151, enquiries@eis.org.uk