Committee questions timescales for reducing teachers' class contact time

In March 2026, the Scottish Government, local government and teaching unions agreed that teachers’ time with pupils would be reduced by 90 minutes a week. The tripartite agreement said this policy would be in place from August 2027 in primary and special schools, and August 2029 in secondary schools.

However, evidence presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Gaelic Committee indicated that it is unclear whether the policy can be implemented in time.

The Committee’s report points to “considerable challenges related to workforce planning in implementing the reduction in class contact time within the planned timescales”, due to geographical and subject specific teacher shortages.

The report also calls for greater clarity about the objectives of the policy. The Committee is unclear how the policy can both reduce teacher workload and give teachers time for additional preparation and learning. In addition, the Committee would like to understand what assessment has been made of how the policy benefits children and young people.

Additionally, there are questions about how the costs associated with reducing class contact time will be funded. Evidence shared with the Committee outlined that spending for the Education and Skills portfolio is not forecast to meaningfully increase, implying that the cost of this policy will need to be met by existing budgets.

Karen Adam MSP, Convener of the Education and Gaelic Committee, said:

“We have questions about the proposals to reduce teachers’ class contact time within the timescales agreed by the Scottish Government, teaching unions and local government.

“The evidence we heard highlighted the significant unresolved challenges that rural and remote communities face with recruiting teachers, alongside challenges related to recruiting teachers in several secondary specialisms.

“At the current time, it is difficult to understand how these can be resolved in time for the policy to be delivered effectively and on schedule. We would like to hear the Cabinet Secretary’s views on how achievable the policy is within the planned timescales.”

The Committee also scrutinised the Scottish Government’s progress towards delivering the reforms to the children’s care system known as The Promise.

In its report it explains that the lack of clarity around the implementation, delivery and accountability of the reforms makes it difficult to measure progress and asked the Scottish Government to respond to the evidence that said that there is a need for sustained investment to deliver on the aims of the policy.

Karen Adam MSP, Convener of the Education and Gaelic Committee, said:

“During our inquiry, we encountered a lack of clarity around the implementation, delivery and accountability on the Promise which makes it difficult to measure progress with any certainty.

“We would like to hear the Scottish Government’s response to calls for sustained investment, including progress in relation to social work recruitment and retention and availability of care accommodation, to make the progress that is needed to ensure The Promise fulfils its commitment to care-experienced children, young people, and adults.”

Read the Committee's report

Find out more about the Committee's inquiry