Teacher shortage allegation refuted
Council say staff aren’t being overstretched
West Lothian Council have hit back at claims school teachers are being overstretched because of staff vacancies.
Council bosses admitted that there were 19 vacancies on August 9 - just two weeks before pupils started back.
But they moved to assure parents that supply staff are being utilised in all cases until a permanent teacher is appointed.
Most of the vacancies were from within secondary schools although there were three classes without teachers in primaries.
It comes as teachers union The Educational Institute of Scotland ( EIS) insisted teachers are dealing with excessive workloads and warned of an impending crisis across Scotland.
A spokesman for the EIS said: “School staffing is an issue across the whole of Scotland, and is a particular challenge in certain parts of the country, some of which is linked to local circumstance such as the cost of housing.
“It is absolutely clear excessive workload is having a detrimental impact on the image of teaching which has led to both an increase in people leaving the profession and difficulty in recruiting sufficient number of qualified teachers.
“It is important that the Scottish Government work with local authorities to ensure that these positions do not go unfilled and reasons for this shortage should be factored into workforce planning to ensure we do not end up with a shortage crisis.
A spokeswoman for West Lothian Council said: “West Lothian Council is committed to ensuring that our schools provide the best learning environment for our children and young people.
“I can confirm that the pupil teacher ratio in West Lothian has been maintained as in previous years. In common with most local authorities West Lothian Council has teacher vacancies. The council currently employs 1947 teachers, and at August 9 there were 19 vacancies ( 0.9%). This snapshot of vacancies is entirely normal for this time of year. Vacancies can occur for any number of reasons throughout the year, teachers retiring, changing jobs or going on maternity leave.
“If vacancies aren’t filled at the start of the school term, the council has an active supply list of qualified teachers locally who are available to cover until a permanent teacher is appointed.”
Asked about the potential of strike action, the council spokeswoman added: “West Lothian Council has a good relationship with the teachers’ unions and is not aware of any issues at this time.”
Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance said: “The Scottish Government will continue to work with all councils, including West Lothian, to ensure that the right numbers of teachers are employed in the right places. The Scottish Government is working hard with teaching staff, councils and other stakeholders to reduce unnecessary workload and significant progress has been made. This will free up teachers and staff to provide high quality learning, close the attainment gap and give young people the best chance of success in life.”
But Lothian MSP Neil Findlay claimed Scottish Government cuts are harming schools. He added: “The fact we don’t have sufficient staff is down to the policies of this Scottish Government.”