Race is on to recruit hundreds of teachers
HUNDREDS of extra teachers are to be drafted in to help Scotland’s schools cope with the challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak.
The Scottish Government is planning a massive recruitment drive, as well as considering additional cash for councils and the fast-tracking of probationers into classrooms.
The need for physical distancing means teachers will have far fewer pupils in their classes in 2020-21.
While home schooling will ease some of that burden, teachers will still be needed to direct and support parents, and set lesson plans to follow at home.
Unions have warned shrinking class sizes from more than 30 to only ten, in many cases, will ‘inevitably’ require a massive increase in teacher numbers. Now the Scottish Government, and councils umbrella group
Cosla, have written to councils confirming this is under consideration.
Education Secretary John Swinney has stressed it will be up to councils to estimate how many extra teachers – and cleaners, janitors and other staff – are needed for the return on August 11, only nine weeks away.
Scotland’s largest teaching union warned councils must act fast if schools are to be ready in time.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS, said: ‘As our recent survey of over 26,000 teachers across Scotland confirmed, there are many challenges that must be overcome if schools are to reopen.
‘The smaller teaching groups that will be essential to maintaining social distancing will place significant strain on staffing levels in many schools. Moving from class sizes of as many as 33 pupils to groups of perhaps ten pupils at a time will mean that schools will require a greater number of teaching staff.’
The pressure on teacher numbers would be exacerbated by any new outbreak, which could lead to many staff and pupils being told to self-isolate for a fortnight.
Under the Scottish Government’s new contact tracing system, anyone within two metres, for 15 minutes, of a person who tests positive for coronavirus within the next 48 hours, will need to stay at home.
Mr Flanagan said: ‘Added to this, any teachers who are in a vulnerable group or who are required to selfisolate will clearly not be available to work within a school environment.
‘This highlights the need for preventative measures to control the virus. Attempts to boost teacher numbers ahead of August are welcome, therefore, and very necessary if we are to provide sufficient support to pupils.’
The need for extra teachers was acknowledged in the Scottish Government’s latest strategy, Covid-19 – Reopening Schools Guide. It said: ‘The deployment of additional staffing is expected to be critical to ensuring this can be managed.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are already committed to supplementing the existing workforce where required.’
‘Many challenges that must be overcome’