New course aims to tackle shortage of teachers

SWIFT action has been taken in Perth and Kinross in an effort to produce a new generation of teachers for hardpressed schools.

A new postgraduate degree in teaching has been created by Perth College UHI in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council.

The university hopes it will be the first of a number of initiatives that will help education in the region and put it at the heart of efforts to address a national crisis.

Across Scotland, schools have struggled for years to fill teaching posts, with subjects such as maths and home economics among the hardest hit.

The latest Government figures revealed nearly 700 teaching vacancies nationwide and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has admitted it may take up to three years to resolve the crisis.

The first group of about 12 students will start a postgraduate degree in education at Perth College UHI in August.

Professor Neil Simco, assistant principal for curriculum growth and acting vice-principal research, said: “I am delighted about the roll-out of our primary initial teacher training Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programme.

“It is a very positive development that Perth College UHI and Perth and Kinross Council are working together to contribute to the supply of primary teachers, particularly in rural areas.”

Perth City North councillor Elspeth Maclachlan said she was delighted by the action being taken by the partners.

“Perth College UHI should be congratulated on its rapid response to the teacher shortage in Perth and Kinross,” she added.

Pete Cluff, who served with the Royal Engineers, with Heather and Meredith.