Teachers too busy to mentor trainees

Tory report highlights flaws in ‘chaotic’ curriculum

TEACHERS have told how they are too busy to help mentor trainees, with many left photocopying materials for classes rather than learning on the job.

The Scottish Tories made the claim after a consultation with teachers, education experts and parents that concluded the SNP’s ‘muddled and chaotic’ school curriculum must be ‘reset’.

The Scottish Government has been repeatedly attacked over the problem-hit Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) policy, which has led to growing pressures and workloads in the classroom.

It has been implemented as the education system faces a recruitment crisis, with 3,500 fewer teachers than a decade ago – and schools struggling to fill vacancies.

But a report published by the Tories highlighted issues in recruitment, including a lack of time for teacher training.

The party will today set out five recommendations for improving the Curriculum for Excellence.

The party is urging ministers to overhaul the CfE to allow for better clarity and accountability, and a reduction in ‘excessive’ guidance and paperwork for teachers. It also wants to see more routes to encourage new teachers into the classroom.

Education spokesman Liz Smith also called for reform of education agencies and for greater autonomy for headteachers to take decisions about their schools.

Speaking before the publication of A Blueprint for the Curriculum for Excellence, Miss Smith said that while there is agreement across political parties and education bodies that CfE is ‘sound’, there are concerns over the implementation.

She said: ‘There was general agreement that the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence has been fraught with problems which, in turn, have undermined its effective delivery in the classroom.’

The report included a number of references to Holyrood committee meetings in which it was revealed that trainee teachers were entering classrooms without having basic numeracy skills, and that some were being left to make photocopies as teachers were ‘too busy’ to mentor them.

The Tories cited research from Ipsos Mori for the Scottish Government which found some secondary teachers and headteachers thought the introduction of the new curriculum ‘had led to increased disengagement of some S4 pupils’ due to the lack of an exam for national four qualifications.

The party also highlighted the recent finding that only 7 per cent of Education Scotland employees believe change is managed well by the organisation.

Miss Smith added: ‘Simply put, Curriculum for Excellence needs to be reset. Under the SNP, its implementation has been muddled at best and chaotic at worst. There is no point having a new curriculum if pupils are not getting the basics in literacy and numeracy, and teachers are left confused by what they’re supposed to be doing.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We acted in 2016 to clarify and simplify the curriculum framework and to remove unnecessary bureaucracy, ensuring teachers can focus on providing valuable learning experiences for young people.

‘Our education reforms will create a school and teacher-led system, empowering teachers to fully deliver the vision of Curriculum for Excellence.’

‘Muddled at best, chaotic at worst’