FIFE members of teaching union EIS are being urged to vote yes on industrial action in relation to SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) procedures.

The EIS will be balloting members in secondary schools across the country this week after joint meetings between teaching unions, the SQA and the Scottish Government failed to resolve concerns over the excessive assessment demands placed on teachers and pupils by the SQA.

If members vote yes in the forthcoming statutory ballot, a strategy involving boycotting SQA procedures will begin in the new year.

David Farmer, EIS Fife publicity officer, said: “Our members in secondary schools have faced increasing pressure as the examination system has changed.

“Teachers in secondary schools will be aware of the duplication and bureaucracy involved in many of these procedures.

“The pressures on workload have increased rather than decreased. It is now time to resist.

“Our secondary members have been complaining about this for years. We now need them to act on these concerns.”