Teacher shortage undermines reform

Recruitment problem has potential to derail the Scottish Government’s education strategy

Kezia Dugdale has had a good week. First, the Scottish Labour leader gave what has been described as her best speech in the Scottish Parliament when she attacked Ruth Davidson and the Scottish Conservatives over the rape clause, then yesterday, she landed a significant blow on Nicola Sturgoen at First Minister’s Questions when she revealed that it could take three years to fill the 700 vacancies that exist in the teaching profession.

Education is the Scottish Government’s weak spot, to the extent that the First Minister made it her top priority, and tasked her deputy with sorting it out.

But how can her administration hope to make any meaningful impact on attainment levels if there are not enough teachers? No-one expects an overnight turnaround in performance. It is quite possible that, regardless of what initiatives are put in place by John Swinney, we see little or no difference in the next set of statistics. But if the First Minister wants to be judged on her record in education, then she has to come up with evidence of progress sooner rather than later, and running our schools when they are understaffed is a serious handicap to all concerned – not least the children who do not know who will turn up to take their next lesson.

It is not so long ago that new teachers were coming out of college with a qualification but no job. What has happened? And why was the current shortage not identified before it reached its current extent, allowing provision to be made?

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of this situation is that overall teacher numbers have dropped by 4,000 in the past decade. Meanwhile, the Scottish population has been on the rise. There could be further trouble ahead, even if the recruitment problem is resolved.

And we have to understand why the current vacancies exist. Why are teachers leaving the profession? Many are disaffected. That’s not necessarily a new phenomenon in the profession, but the effect will be deepened if teachers feel they are struggling through a lack of support, with no sign of light at the end of the tunnel. Inevitably, some will seek alternative roles.

As well as improving standards, it is clear the Scottish Government has significant work to do to restore confidence within the profession. Without the full support of a properly resourced workforce, attempts to improve attainment are undermined from the start.