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Scottish teacher numbers continue to fall Scottish class sizes up slightly as teacher numbers dip
(about 1 hour later)
The number of Scottish teachers has continued to fall, the latest education statistics have revealed.The number of Scottish teachers has continued to fall, the latest education statistics have revealed.
There were 51,441 full time equivalent teachers in 2011, 657 fewer than the revised 2010 figure of 52,098.There were 51,441 full time equivalent teachers in 2011, 657 fewer than the revised 2010 figure of 52,098.
Pupil to teacher ratios also rose slightly, from 13.3 in 2010 to 13.4 in 2011. The average class size for pupils in P1, 2 and 3 rose slightly from 22.4 in 2010 to 22.5 in 2011.
Education Secretary Mike Russell said the current number of teachers in local authority schools exceeded the local government agreement target of 51,131.Education Secretary Mike Russell said the current number of teachers in local authority schools exceeded the local government agreement target of 51,131.
The SNP minister earlier defended the mass publication of the education data. href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/920/0123828.pdf" >The statistical bulletin also revealed that pupil to teacher ratios also increased slightly, from 13.3 in 2010 to 13.4 in 2011.
He told BBC radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland that the move was not about burying bad news. About 66% of 2010-11 probationer teachers were in permanent or temporary employment in publicly funded schools in September 2011 - a rise from 58% on the previous year.
Mr Russell said: "When I became education secretary we used to publish education statistics every second day, one was up, one was down, it was impossible to get any real view of what was taking place. Now we publish education statistics twice a year." About 98.9% of P1 pupils were in classes of 25 or fewer and the overall average class size in primary school was 22.7%, up from 22.5% in 2010.
In terms of authorised and unauthorised absences there was a small rise - from 6.7% in 2009-10 to 6.8% in 2010-11.
An 11% decrease in exclusions from local authority schools was recorded - there were 26,844 cases in 2010-11 compared with 30,211 in 2009-10.
The proportion of schools reported as being in good or satisfactory condition has increased from 61% in April 2007 to 80% in 2011. The number of pupils educated in poor or bad condition schools has decreased from 256,794 (37%) in April 2007 to 113,555 (17%) in April 2011.
The figures also said the proportion of young people entering higher or further education has increased from 56.0% in 2008 to 63.0% in 2011.
The proportion of leavers entering employment increased from 18.5% in September 2010 to 19.3% in September 2011, although the report said that remained below the 25.3% seen in 2008.
The SNP minister Mr Russell said: "Today's figures show that, in line with our agreement with our partners in teaching unions and local government, they have delivered our commitment to maintain teacher numbers. The statistics report that teacher numbers in local authority schools stand at 51,286, in excess of the target of 51,131."
Mr Russell went on: "The average class size for Primary 1 is down from 21.1 in 2010 to 20.5 in 2011, a new record low. The number of P1 pupils in classes of more than 25 is down from 6,896 to 638 in 2011, a total reduction of 90 per cent since the legislation was introduced.
"The information also shows that attainment has improved, more children are leaving school for positive destinations and that exclusions are down. In addition, key investments in school buildings have resulted in more children attending better quality schools.
"From today's information the outlook for Scotland's schools is good. But I must stress that we are not complacent. In the face of Westminster cuts we will continue to work hard to deliver further improvement."
'Real view'
Earlier Mr Russell defended the mass publication of the education data.
He told BBC radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland the move was not about burying bad news.
Mr Russell said: "When I became education secretary we used to publish education statistics every second day, one was up, one was down, it was impossible to get any real view of what was taking place.
"Now we publish education statistics twice a year."