SCOTLAND’S largest teaching union lodged grievances with two councils yesterday over what alleged were failures to facilitate the phased returns of pupils.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said that the Scottish Borders and Moray local authorities have also failed to hold proper consultations with it and other trade unions and reach agreement with them, as Scottish government guidelines require.

Pupils in the Scottish Borders returned to school yesterday, while those in Moray go back today.

However, the union wants a phased return of pupils over several days instead.

The EIS said that a lack of discussion on the flexibility of phased returns had put staff under “intense pressure” over school reopenings.

General secretary Larry Flanagan said that about 80 per cent of EIS members had expressed “deep concerns” about safety over the reopening of schools, adding that he hoped to resolve the disputes through dialogue. 

Moray Council has defended its decision and said that phased plans were in place.

Scottish Borders Council was contacted for comment.