Teacher recruitment plans fall short of what's needed
Ross Greer MSP, Education spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (30 Nov) said funding from the Scottish Government to bring new teachers into the profession falls short of what's needed.
Education Secretary John Swinney has announced £1million to persuade former teachers to return and for fast-tracking of graduates.
Ross Greer MSP said:
"Recruiting more teachers is essential. 4,000 posts have gone since 2007, so if the plans announced today do result in 200 new teachers that still falls well short of what's needed. Investing just 0.13 per cent of the £750million Attainment Fund suggests Scottish Ministers haven't yet grasped how important it is to give teachers more time to teach.
"It's encouraging that part of the plan includes supporting the University of Stirling to qualify more primary teachers with specialisms such as Additional Support Needs. The debate I have brought today in Parliament underlines the point that the children and young people most in need of support simply aren't getting it. The number of Additional Support for Learning teachers in primary, secondary and special schools has dropped by 13 per cent in the last five years.
"I will keep pushing this issue as an education priority."