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Teacher numbers reduce by 1,000 Teacher numbers reduce by 1,000
(20 minutes later)
The number of teachers in Scotland's publicly-funded schools have fallen by almost 1,000, new government-published figures have revealed. The number of teachers in Scotland's publicly-funded schools has fallen by almost 1,000, new government-published figures have revealed.
The number working at pre-school, primary, secondary and special schools, or visiting specialists in 2008 was 53,584 - 975 fewer than in 2007. There were 53,584 working at pre-school, primary, secondary and special schools, or visiting specialists, in 2008 - 975 fewer than in 2007.
But falling pupil numbers meant the child-to-teacher ratio has remained steady, at 13:1. But falling pupil numbers meant the child-to-teacher ratio had remained steady at 13:1.
The average age of teachers also remained stable, at about 43. Labour said the figures were "disgraceful".
According to research, most of which took place in September 2008, the number of secondary teachers fell from 26,251 in 2007 to 25,767 last year, while primary teachers were down by 381 to 23,173 over the same period. The Scottish Government said improving education and ensuring there were enough teachers in the system was a priority.
Special school teachers saw a slight rise from 2,021 to 2,033. Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "These figures demonstrate that, for the second year in a row, teacher numbers are delivering a historic low pupil-teacher ratio in Scotland - in both primary and secondary schools.
Under Fiona Hyslop's watch, Scotland's schools have been haemorrhaging teachers Rhona BrankinLabour education spokeswoman
"Scottish pupil-teacher ratios are by far the lowest in the UK, and primary class sizes are also at a record low in Scotland.
"The number of teachers in both primary and secondary schools were also higher than in all but one year of the previous administration, in 2006."
The government said a small number of local authorities accounted for the vast majority of the fall.
According to the research, most of which took place in September 2008, the number of secondary teachers fell from 26,251 in 2007 to 25,767 last year, while primary teachers were down by 381 to 23,173 over the same period.
Labour's Rhona Brankin said "the bell had rung" for the education secretary, and it was time for her to go.
"It is disgraceful that in the past 12 months, under Fiona Hyslop's watch, Scotland's schools have been haemorrhaging teachers," said Ms Brankin.
"When Labour was in power, we prioritised education and put 2,000 more teachers in classrooms, but the SNP have wiped out half this progress in only one year."
The figures also showed a slight rise in special school teachers, from 2,021 to 2,033, while the average teaching age remained stable, at about 43.