Teacher numbers need to rise, not stay the same

3.35.20pm GMT Wed 25th Nov 2009

Commenting on a Scottish Government announcement that councils are to be able to borrow £10m to support the costs of early retirement for teachers, Liberal Democrat Education spokesman Margaret Smith MSP said:

“The SNP promised to keep teacher numbers at the record levels they inherited from the Liberal Democrats and then managed to lose 1,000 teachers in a year. They’ve since blocked a further 500 people from entering teacher training by reducing training places.

“So we welcome the fact that the Government is creating jobs for new teachers who have found it difficult to find work.

“This new measure will mitigate some of those losses, but the number of teachers will remain the same. The Government should have offered this money to increase teacher numbers. New teachers should learn from our most experienced teachers side by side.

“It also remains to be seen whether local authorities, who are facing massive budget cuts, will decide they want to borrow £10 million.  If they don’t the problem will remain.”