We want to teach but are being told we can’t
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Trainee teachers say they are desperate to help deliver lessons but are being told there are no jobs for them.
The Scottish Government has called on councils to use newly qualified but currently unemployed teachers, along with retired and supply teachers, to boost staff numbers during the Covid-19 crisis.
But newly qualified teachers (NQTS) are frustrated that councils are telling
Newly qualified Erin Mccauley
them there are no jobs available.
Conor Higgins, 23, a newly qualified modern studies teacher from Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, will soon complete his training at Broxburn High, West Lothian – but has no job to go to. “Newly qualified teachers already have experience of working with the blended model of education,” he said. “Surely we are an important resource that could be quickly utilised, as well as trying to bring back retired teachers.”
Erin Mccauley, 22, has just completed her year-long probationary period at Dunblane High School near Stirling but was told there was no job. She said: “It is all very well bringing back retired teachers but hundreds of new teachers want to help but can’t get a job.”
Erin is one of 30 NQTS who wrote to Scottish Education Secretary John Swinney last week, urging him to use them to help pupils get back into fulltime schooling.
Teachers union EIS on Friday called for the recruitment of more teaching staff to help during the crisis.
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said he was aware some NQTS faced difficulties securing employment. He said: “The lack of employment for NTQS is a scandal at this time – this is something that local authorities and Scottish Government must sort out. This is about supporting the educational recovery of Scotland’s children.”
The Scottish Government said: “We are clear that not only do we need every teacher available to be teaching next year, we want to recruit more people, including those who recently left the profession, back into teaching. That’s why we are working with local authorities to establish what additional staff is needed. Once we know that, we will take steps to meet that demand.”