North has most teacher vacancies

The Highlands has the most long-term teacher vacancies in Scotland, according to new Scottish Government data.

The figures show that the region had 33 primary school vacancies, 29 of which had existed for longer than three months, and 40 unfilled posts in secondaries, 33 of which were more than three months old.

Nowhere else in Scotland had as many longterm vacancies, and only Glasgow had more teaching vacancies in total.

The figures were accurate up to September 20.

Aberdeen had the fourth-highest number of unfilled posts, with 27 in primary and 32 in secondary, while Aberdeenshire had 16 in primary and 27 in secondary, and Moray had five in primary and 14 in secondary.

Alexander Burnett, Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, said: “These figures will make shocking reading for families.

“While the local authority is responsible for teacher recruitment, this is a national issue that requires a national response.”

Labour’s education spokesperson Iain Gray said: “Parents, pupils and teachers know all too well there’s a recruitment crisis, and while John Swinney repeatedly says education is his number one priority, these new figures show that he has again failed to meet his target when recruiting to teacher training.”

Deputy First Minister Mr Swinney responded: “While teacher recruitment is a matter for local authorities we recognise that challenges remain and have made £88million available this year so schools can access the right number of teachers.

“We are also putting in place a national approach to the recruitment of teachers from outside Scotland.”