FLAG UNFURLED Defends action over teacher shortages at Blairgowrie
Education Secretary John Swinney has defended the Scottish Government’s response to staff shortages at Blairgowrie High School.
Attending a conference at Perth’s St John’s RC Academy last week, Mr Swinney spoke to the PA about ongoing issues at the school.
This comes after Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of putting the drive for independence ahead of other matters.
Mr Swinney said: “There are challenges, and I am the first to accept that.
“Obviously there are staff shortages across the country and they will be more prevalent in some parts of the country, particularly in Blairgowrie. This is because of a number of examples, such as staff turnover and absences, everything which is creating a challenging situation.
“Perth and Kinross Council have sent supply teachers around the country to their schools, and this is the response local
John Swinney MSP authorities should have, and the Scottish Government is expanding the intake of student teachers significantly to 370 this year to recruit more teachers.
“Obviously we are going through a period of teacher shortages and the government has responded by increasing teacher numbers six years in a row.
“We are taking all steps to encourage more individuals to education and I have introduced 11 more routes to get into teaching, but all the teachers must be trained to standard.”
Blairgowrie High School is suffering from staff shortages in its maths department, with teachers from other schools in the region taking over some classes, despite some pupils gearing up for important maths exams.
A spokesperson for the Beeches Road school said a new maths teacher would be starting in August.