Smith: SNP have failed to keep record number of teachers (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats)

Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats <Charles.Cavaye@talktalk.net>

Smith: SNP have failed to keep record number of teachers

June 2, 2010 5:30 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Margaret Smith MSP has expressed great concern over the lack of jobs that await teachers on finishing their probation.

A study published today by the Scottish Government show 3478 teachers were allocated a probationary year in 2009 but with only 354 teaching vacancies at present in Scotland, this could mean that around only 10% of those finishing their probation year will find a teaching job when they qualify.

Commenting on the report Margaret Smith said:

"This news today will be really worrying for teachers who will be finishing their probationary year come July.

"With so few jobs available, many newly qualified teachers will struggle to find a teaching job in Scotland.

"We are very lucky to have a wealth of qualified and well trained new teachers but this Government has done nothing to support them, and teacher numbers and vacancies have continued to plummet under the SNP's watch.

"The Government have totally failed to keep the record number of teachers that they inherited from the Liberal Democrats.

"The Education Secretary must respond to these deeply concerning figures and explain to Parliament why he is letting down so many probationers all over Scotland.