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Fewer new Scottish teachers find permanent jobs | Fewer new Scottish teachers find permanent jobs |
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Concerns have been voiced that only one in five new teachers in Scotland found permanent, full-time jobs after qualifying in 2009-10. | Concerns have been voiced that only one in five new teachers in Scotland found permanent, full-time jobs after qualifying in 2009-10. |
The figure was revealed in a General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) survey of 1,222 former probationers. | |
Its chief executive, Anthony Finn, said there was a clear "cause for concern". | Its chief executive, Anthony Finn, said there was a clear "cause for concern". |
Scotland's Education Secretary Mike Russell insisted the figures did not reflect the current situation for new teachers. | |
He added: "The latest Job Seeker Allowance figures show that we are beginning to see real progress in tackling teacher unemployment with year-on-year teacher unemployment in Scotland falling for the eighth month in a row. | |
"Teacher unemployment remains lower in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK." | |
All newly-qualified teachers in Scotland are guaranteed a "probationary" year teaching in a school. | All newly-qualified teachers in Scotland are guaranteed a "probationary" year teaching in a school. |
After that employment within the education sector is not guaranteed. | After that employment within the education sector is not guaranteed. |
The GTCS survey, which takes place annually, revealed that more new teachers have no job at all compared with the previous year, up from 13.5% to 16.2%. | |
The feedback from those who took part in the exercise further showed that the proportion of those securing part-time, permanent contracts also fell, to 2.4%. The previous year's rate was 4.5%. | The feedback from those who took part in the exercise further showed that the proportion of those securing part-time, permanent contracts also fell, to 2.4%. The previous year's rate was 4.5%. |
Full-time contracts as supply teachers were offered to 8.6% of probationers, up from 6.2%, while those who became part-time supply teachers increased from 3.6% to 5.4%. | |
Out of the 2,914 probationers in 2009/10, 1,222 responded to the survey. | Out of the 2,914 probationers in 2009/10, 1,222 responded to the survey. |
Commenting on the survey findings, Ronnie Smith, general secretary of teaching union EIS, said: "These are a particularly alarming set of figures, which illustrate just how difficult it is for new teachers to secure a permanent job upon completion of their induction year. | |
"With just one new teacher in five securing a full-time permanent job, the situation for new entrants to the profession and for Scottish education as a whole is particularly bleak." | |
Create more jobs | |
The General Teaching Council for Scotland's findings have been reported to the Scottish government. | |
Mr Finn said: "We are acutely aware of the financial constraints faced by public bodies across Scotland and accept that this will impact to a certain extent on teacher employment. | Mr Finn said: "We are acutely aware of the financial constraints faced by public bodies across Scotland and accept that this will impact to a certain extent on teacher employment. |
"We must ensure, however, that these highly-skilled new teachers who have been through a teacher induction scheme, described as world-class by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, are able to find work in the classroom, providing a quality education for our children and young people. | |
"As part of the recent Scottish negotiating committee for teachers agreement, the Scottish government has agreed with employers to create more jobs for teachers in the coming months. | "As part of the recent Scottish negotiating committee for teachers agreement, the Scottish government has agreed with employers to create more jobs for teachers in the coming months. |
"If this aspiration is realised, it should make a significant difference to the job prospects of those who have completed or are currently completing probation in Scotland." | "If this aspiration is realised, it should make a significant difference to the job prospects of those who have completed or are currently completing probation in Scotland." |