Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD WELCOMES TEACHER BURSARIES FOR CAREER CHANGERS

Moray’s MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that they will introduce bursaries for those wishing to change career and become a teacher in priority science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subjects.

The new £20,000 bursary is the latest in a series of measures the Scottish Government is taking to recruit more teachers and Mr Lochhead hopes it can help reduce the number of vacancies in schools in Moray.

School subjects which will be eligible for the bursaries are maths, computing science, physics and technical education.  Eligible subjects will be reviewed each year according to need.

“We’re all very well aware of the difficulties Moray Council has had in recruiting teachers to work in our local schools, so I have to say that I’m delighted by the Education Minister’s announcement that the SNP Government will introduce career change bursaries for those who want to go on to teach STEM subjects in our schools.

“I know a number of people who have considered retraining to be a teacher but have simply been unable to due to costs and concerns about financial responsibilities with many just not in a position to give up a salary for a year.  I’m hopeful that the introduction of bursaries of £20,000 will go a long way to removing that barrier for the many folk who are interested in a career in teaching, which can only help address the local teacher shortage.

“This new bursary scheme is a real game changer when it comes to helping people who live locally to go into teaching and to growing our own teachers.  I would absolutely encourage folk in Moray who are eligible to consider taking the leap and to making the change.”

Bursaries will be available to career changers wishing to undertake an initial teacher education course in Scotland that leads to the award of registered teacher status in one of the specified subjects.  Applicants will be expected to have a relevant degree at a level of 2.1 or above with suitable subject content.   Minimum entry requirements for teacher education courses will also apply.  It is anticipated that the scheme will operate in partnership with local authorities and universities, and will be in place for recruitment to relevant teacher education courses starting in August 2018.