Concern at teacher numbers drop

The Scottish Government has pledged to cut class sizes

The number of teachers in Scotland's classrooms has fallen to its lowest level since 2005, sparking concern from unions.

Figures showed there were 56,800 teachers employed by councils in the third quarter of this year, compared with 57,700 at the same time last year.

The figure for 2006 was 57,100, according to the statistics.

The EIS union said it was important teacher numbers were kept steady to help meet promises about class sizes.

The official public sector employment figures showed that the number of teachers was currently the lowest since 2005, when there were 56,500 employed in Scottish public schools.

Teacher numbers are going down - it's not about some old lags not retiring Ronnie SmithEIS

EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith said the government had pledged to keep teacher numbers steady while school rolls were falling, so that class sizes could be cut.

"But it's quite clear that teacher numbers are not being held steady through decisions by local authorities," he said.

The Scottish Government has a flagship manifesto commitment to reduce class sizes to 18 in primaries one to three.

Mr Smith acknowledged that some councils were voicing concerns about the funding settlement with the Scottish Government, while ministers said this was agreed in its concordat with Cosla.

But Mr Smith added: "We're being squeezed in the middle - it's a real belt-tightening exercise."

Probationary period

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop last week faced a grilling from Holyrood's education committee after a survey by the General Teaching Council for Scotland showed that in October this year 79% of recently qualified teachers were working in the profession.

That is down from the same time last year, when 87.8% had found a teaching job of some kind after completing their probationary period.

Mr Smith said it was claimed at the time this was down to fewer teachers retiring than expected.

But he added: "This shows the problem is that there are actually fewer people being employed as teachers.

"Teacher numbers are going down - it's not about some old lags not retiring."

Ms Hyslop said last week more newly-qualified teachers would find work, as jobs came up throughout the year when other teachers retired.