Fewer jobs for newly qualified teachers
Qualified primary school teachers are not being properly utilised with many failing to find suitable vacancies, according to the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Former head teacher Carole Ford, the party’s schools and skills spokeswoman, spoke out after figures showed trained teachers were unable to get jobs.
The Scottish Government expects just 50% of postprobationary primary teachers to be in work in state schools by next month, down from 77% last year.
Ford said: “This is terrible news for teachers and pupils. Itisahuge waste of money and talent.
“I have heard from teachers who are entering their probationary year this year who have been told there will also be no vacancies for them when they look for jobs next year.
“We need every qualified teacher to help with the recovery from Covid and falling literacy and numeracy rates.”
The Scottish Government said: “Over the course of the pandemic we have provided £240 million of additional investment, over two financial years, for the recruitment of additional education staff.
“This has supported the recruitment of additional staff and there are now over 2,000 more teachers in Scotland’s schools than before the start of the pandemic in 2019.”