60 NEW TEACHERS FOR WEST LOTHIAN AND OVER 1,250 NEW TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF RECRUITED SINCE SUMMER

60 NEW TEACHERS FOR WEST LOTHIAN AND OVER 1,250 NEW TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF RECRUITED SINCE SUMMER

Angela Constance MSP has welcomed news that 1,250 new teachers, and 155 support staff, have been recruited in schools across Scotland in recent months.  

The Scottish Government pledged £80 million of support this summer to help local authorities’ recruitment for the safe re-opening of schools.

Councils across Scotland indicate that an estimated further 200 teachers are also in the pipeline with 100 extra support staff also expected to follow.

Last month, figures from the independent Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) showed that the number of newly-qualified teachers going straight into employment has risen by nearly 30%.

Analysis also revealed that the number of teachers in Scotland under the age of 45 has risen to 61.5% of the workforce as of 2019. In 2009, the majority of teachers were over 45.

Commenting, Ms Constance said:

“In the middle of a global pandemic, it’s absolutely vital that local authorities are fully supported to ensure that our schools remain safe for pupils, teachers and staff.

“Thanks to significant investment from the Scottish Government this summer, we now have 60 extra teachers and staff in our schools to support their safe re-opening across West Lothian. These additional teachers and support staff will not only bring much needed resilience to Scotland’s education system, but they will help compensate for the loss of learning suffered by pupils during lockdown.

“I want to express my appreciation once again for our fantastic teachers, and wider schools workforce,  here in Almond Valley who are helping to ensure our young people continue to get the education they deserve during these tough times.”

The local breakdown of additional teacher numbers can now be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/teacher-recruitment-local-authority-returns/

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