Figures released today show that 86.4 per cent of new teachers are now in employment or on a supply list – an increase of 13.9 per cent since the start of the school year.
Education Secretary Michael Russell said that ‘progress must be continued’ and pointed to recent action by the Scottish Government to improve the situation….
Figures released today show that 86.4 per cent of new teachers are now in employment or on a supply list – an increase of 13.9 per cent since the start of the school year.
Education Secretary Michael Russell said that ‘progress must be continued’ and pointed to recent action by the Scottish Government to improve the situation.
Mr Russell said:
“Our new teachers are talented, enthusiastic and keen to teach and I want to see as many of them as possible taking up their place in our classrooms. Progress has been made and the number of new teachers in employment has continued to rise through the year.
“However, I want to see more of our new teachers finding jobs and I have sympathy for those who have, so far, been unable to do so. I am committed to doing what I can to help improve the situation.
“That’s why I took the difficult decision to reduce the intake of student teachers and therefore reduce the number of probationers entering the system this summer. This will help free up jobs for those newly qualified teachers who are still seeking employment.
“Progress has also been made recently on reducing class sizes in primaries one to three, with a framework now in place to deliver 20 per cent by August. While our offer to allow Local Authorities to borrow the upfront costs of early retirement to create vacancies for new teachers also demonstrates our commitment to improving the situation.
“The figures which show such a low number of vacancies confirm to me that the action I have taken is the right thing to do. They also reinforce my determination to make sure we do what we can to help the next generation of teachers into the classroom.”
The GTCS have published the employment follow up survey for 2008-2009 probationer teachers. The Scottish Government has also published teacher vacancy statistics today.