The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Education secretary has ‘turned his back on us’, say temporary teachers
Group claim discrimination as they try to secure permanent posts
Teachers working on temporary contracts across Scotland have accused John Swinney of “turning his back” on them after they worked through the Covid-19 lockdown.
In a letter addressed to the education secretary, a group who describe themselves as the “anxious, exhausted and forgotten temporary teachers” claim they have been discriminated against when trying to secure a permanent teaching position.
It comes after the government announced last week that every full registered probationary teacher would be able to secure teaching posts for the next year – a move which disappointed those working on temporary contracts.
Writing in the letter, the group said: us.
“We, the hundreds of temporary teachers who have worked tirelessly, before and during the Covid-19 crisis, to support the education of the Scottish nation’s school children and the policies of the Scottish Government through these difficult times.
“We have contracts with the council, we work full-time as teachers for the council. When a full-time post becomes available, we are however prevented from applying for it as the council preclude us from submitting internal applications.
“This is discriminatory at best and a situation that is being perpetuated by the councils who claim there continue to be no external posts available either.”
The group also claim that the government has failed to recognise the sacrifices they have made by working through the Covid-19 lockdown and the stresses it has placed on them.
They added: “Working through this pandemic has been an ordeal for everyone involved and as teachers, we have come together to ensure our
“You have turned your back on pupils’ wellbeing has been placed at the forefront of all our endeavours.
“However, despite our commitment and personal sacrifice in support of the sector and the government’s policies, our own wellbeing has been ignored and has thus suffered immensely.
“Whilst providing newly qualified teachers with a year of employment is fantastic for the enthusiastic cohort who have made it through their most difficult year, it is also incredibly divisive, cruel and discriminating to the rest of the teaching sector and in particular supply teachers.”
The group expressed their anger over the lack of job security and called on the education secretary to review the current recruitment process.
They said: “We are asking to be placed on an equal footing with our teaching colleagues with whom we share an equal commitment and passion for a role we have trained many years for.”
Responding to the letter, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are working with local authorities to establish what additional staff are needed. Once we know that, we will take steps to meet that demand.”