Concern over drop in teachers

THE number of additional support teachers in Scotland has fallen despite an increase in the proportion of children who need help.

Figures to be discussed by Holyrood’s Education Committee today show the number of additional support for learning teachers dropped from 3,518 in 2010 to 2,990 in 2016.

Over the same period, the number of children with additional support needs rose from 69,587 (10.3 per cent of all pupils) to 170,329 (24.9 per cent). The figures, highlighted by the Scottish Conservatives, were contained in the Scottish Government’s response to a committee’s report published in May.

In the report, MSPs found many children with additional support needs were struggling to thrive in Scottish schools due to a lack of staff and support.

Tory early years spokeswoman Michelle Ballantyne MSP said those pupils most in need of help were being “badly let down”.

She said: “Of course much of the increase in pupils with additional learning needs will be down to a better identification of those requiring assistance.

“But that’s no good if the teachers aren’t there to provide that help.

“This is a clear trend, and one the SNP has to explain as matter of urgency.

“The nationalists keep saying education is their priority, yet these figures suggest that is anything but the case.”