Rise in new teachers pleases Airdrie MSP

The news that more than a hundred new teachers have been recruited in schools across North Lanarkshire in recent months has been hailed by Airdrie MSP Alex Neil.

The Scottish Government pledged £80 million of support this summer to help local authorities’ recruitment for the safe re-opening of schools.

New figures from the government have revealed that 127 additional teachers, including 99 primary teachers and 28 secondary teachers, have been recruited since the summer.

Mr Neil highlighted how, last month, statistics from the independent Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICE) showed that the number of newly- qualified teachers going straight into employment has risen by nearly 30 per cent under the SNP’S leadership.

Analysis also revealed that the number of teachers in Scotland under the age of 45 has risen to 61.5 per cent of the workforce as of last year; in 2009, the majority of teachers were over 45.

Mr Neil responded: “In the middle of a global pandemic, it’s absolutely vital that local authorities are fully supported to ensure that our schools remain safe for pupils, teachers and staff.

“Thanks to significant investment from the Scottish Government this summer, we now have 127 new teachers working in schools across North Lanarkshire, which is fantastic.

“These additional teachers and support staff will not only bring much-needed resilience to our local schools, but they will help compensate for the loss of learning suffered by pupils during the coronavirus lockdown.

“I want to express my appreciation once again for our amazing teachers, and wider schools workforce, right here in Airdrie, who are helping to ensure our young people continue to get the education they deserve during these tough times.”

Vitally important Mr Neil says the additional teachers and support staff will “help compensate for the loss of learning suffered by pupils during the coronavirus lockdown”