IN A new manifesto published for Scotland's independence referendum, Scottish teaching union EIS argued yesterday that school class sizes should be “an absolute maximum of 20 pupils.”

The union also vowed to oppose any attempt to introduce fees for Scottish universities — whatever the outcome of the poll in September.

Union general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Education has faced many challenges in recent years, including the difficulties created by the financial crisis and the cost-cutting austerity agenda.

“Teachers and pupils have faced the challenges of a major programme of curricular change, which has placed additional workload and strain on everyone with the school community.”

The EIS manifesto argues that education policy must continue to be set north of the border.

Mr Flanagan said policy decisions on Scottish education had “long been made in Scotland” and the Scottish Parliament since 1999 had “protected our education system from the damaging changes we see south of the border.”

The EIS is not affiliated to any political party and has not backed either the Yes Scotland or the Better Together referendum campaign groups. 

Mr Flanagan said the decision over the country’s future was “a matter for voters.”