Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD WRITES TO EDUCATION SECRETARY ON TEACHER SHORTAGES

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Angela Constance MSP, following his meeting with the Moray Council’s Education Director and Chief Executive to discuss the current teacher shortages in the area.

Following his meeting with the Council, Mr Lochhead promised he would write to the Education Secretary to ask if there were any steps that could be taken by the Scottish Government to increase the number of newly qualified teachers being allocated a probationary post in Moray where, unlike many other local authorities, there will be the opportunity of full time employment once their probationary period is complete.

Moray’s MSP also asked whether the Scottish Government could look to increase the quota of teacher training places allocated to the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) each year.  Mr Lochhead hopes that increasing the number of teacher training places available locally would in the long term help keep teacher numbers up in Moray.

Mr Lochhead’s letter to Angela Constance, urging her to explore any avenues that can help tackle the teacher shortage in Moray, is part of the five point plan proposed at his meeting with Laurence Findlay and Roddy Burns. 

Commenting on the teacher shortage Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“As part of the five point action plan agreed at my meeting with the Council, I have now written to the Education Secretary to ask whether the Scottish Government is able to intervene by way of increasing local teacher training places and directing greater newly qualified teacher resource to Moray. 

“The current teacher shortage is putting additional pressure on teachers who already work very hard, as well as causing concern for parents, and we must explore all possible options to fill these vacancies as soon as we can.”