Focus should be on finding more teachers

Sir, - I was, until three days ago, a member of the SNP.

I resigned from the SNP because of its so called ‘education policy’ and, in particular, the Scottish Government’s intention of giving more powers to head teachers.

Given there is a shortage of classroom teachers, particularly in subjects such as maths and the three main sciences, I would have expected any Scottish Government to focus on recruiting suitably qualified people into the teaching profession rather than wasting time granting powers to head teachers.

I noted Ms Sturgeon did not contradict Alex Rowley or other party leaders when he stated there were 4,000 fewer classroom teachers in Scottish schools than when the SNP first came to power 10 years ago.

I was a teacher for 38 years serving in a variety of schools in Ayrshire, Dundee and Angus reaching the position of depute head teacher from which I retired last year.

I was also a teacher of mathematics.

I assure you there is indeed a serious shortage of mathematics teachers in this part of Scotland and I find it incredulous more thought is being given to giving head teachers increased powers rather than find solutions to this chronic shortage.

I would hope readers would challenge the Scottish Government on this ‘policy’ and I would urge them to pressure the Scottish Government into solving teacher shortages not only in Dundee and Angus but across Scotland as a whole.

Robert Funai. 2 Hazelton Way, Broughty Ferry.

Picture: Paul Reid. Education secretary John Swinney.