Debate on ‘rock bottom’ teacher morale

A PARLIAMENTARY debate led by the Scottish Tories will highlight the “rock bottom” morale of teachers in Scotland.

The party will use their parliamentary time in Holyrood tomorrow to accuse the Scottish Government of “dismal” treatment of teachers amid job insecurity and rising school incidents.

It comes as the Times recently revealed just one in five temporary teachers secured a permanent position last year.

And teachers and school staff have had almost 75,000 physical or verbal attacks from pupils since 2017/18, freedom of information requests from the Tories showed.

Schools will be disrupted by further strike action as the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) and NASUWT will walk out on December 7 and 8.

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) took industrial action on November 24, with a further 16 days planned in the new year.

The offer of a £1,926 increase for teachers on the lowest incomes under £40,107 - and a 5 per cent rise for higher earners was rejected by unions.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Stephen Kerr said: “On the SNP’S watch, job security for teachers is reducing, while ministers are failing to take a zero-tolerance approach towards the shocking number of attacks on them and classroom assistants in our schools.”

Education Secretary Shirley-anne Somerville said: “We greatly value the teaching workforce and the vital role it has in educating our future generations. Violence is never acceptable and the safety of pupils and staff is paramount. Scotland has more teachers now than any other time since 2008, with more teachers per pupil than any other part of the UK.”