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Vacant teaching posts highlighted by Scottish Lib Dems Vacant teaching posts highlighted by Scottish Lib Dems
(about 1 hour later)
A total of 469 teaching posts across Scotland are vacant ahead of the new school year next month, according to local authority figures.A total of 469 teaching posts across Scotland are vacant ahead of the new school year next month, according to local authority figures.
The statistics were obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats and cover 27 of Scotland's 32 local councils.The statistics were obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats and cover 27 of Scotland's 32 local councils.
Dundee City Council reported the highest number of vacancies with 57 secondary and 45 primary jobs unfilled.Dundee City Council reported the highest number of vacancies with 57 secondary and 45 primary jobs unfilled.
The Scottish government said it had taken steps to ensure an adequate supply of teachers in Scotland.The Scottish government said it had taken steps to ensure an adequate supply of teachers in Scotland.
The figures, which take in to account both full-time and part-time posts as advertised at 22 June this year, were obtained through Freedom of Information requests. The figures, which take into account both full-time and part-time posts as advertised at 22 June this year, were obtained through Freedom of Information requests.
East Lothian Council had 50 vacancies for primary teachers, and 20 for secondary teachers.East Lothian Council had 50 vacancies for primary teachers, and 20 for secondary teachers.
Councils reported a further 40 vacant posts for teaching assistants.Councils reported a further 40 vacant posts for teaching assistants.
The Liberal Democrat's education spokesman Liam McArthur MSP warned that schools could be "facing a recruitment crisis".The Liberal Democrat's education spokesman Liam McArthur MSP warned that schools could be "facing a recruitment crisis".
'Safeguarded posts''Safeguarded posts'
He said: "Weeks ahead of the start of the new school year many schools do not appear to have the staff they need to ensure that pupils get the education they deserve.He said: "Weeks ahead of the start of the new school year many schools do not appear to have the staff they need to ensure that pupils get the education they deserve.
"A recruitment crisis would only increase the pressure on other teachers and make life more difficult for pupils who need the most support."A recruitment crisis would only increase the pressure on other teachers and make life more difficult for pupils who need the most support.
"Since the SNP came into government the number of teachers has fallen by more than 4,200."Since the SNP came into government the number of teachers has fallen by more than 4,200.
"Promises on class sizes have been broken, with average primary school class sizes now larger than in 2006, and basic standards of literacy and numeracy have declined. The failure of the Scottish government to get to grips with the problems in the system is scandalous.""Promises on class sizes have been broken, with average primary school class sizes now larger than in 2006, and basic standards of literacy and numeracy have declined. The failure of the Scottish government to get to grips with the problems in the system is scandalous."
The Scottish government said the recruitment of teachers was a matter for individual local authorities and that all 32 councils had committed to maintaining their teacher numbers and pupil teacher ratio at 2014 levels.The Scottish government said the recruitment of teachers was a matter for individual local authorities and that all 32 councils had committed to maintaining their teacher numbers and pupil teacher ratio at 2014 levels.
A spokeswoman added: "The Scottish Government has taken steps to ensure an adequate supply of teachers in Scotland and over the last four years we have increased student teacher intake targets to ensure our schools have the right number of teachers with the right skills. A spokeswoman added: "The Scottish government has taken steps to ensure an adequate supply of teachers in Scotland and over the last four years we have increased student teacher intake targets to ensure our schools have the right number of teachers with the right skills.
"Local government has been treated very fairly despite the UK government's cuts to the Scottish Budget.""Local government has been treated very fairly despite the UK government's cuts to the Scottish Budget."
She added: "Education is a vital priority for this government. That's why we have safeguarded teacher posts in every local authority in Scotland for the next year by providing a £51m package of funding."She added: "Education is a vital priority for this government. That's why we have safeguarded teacher posts in every local authority in Scotland for the next year by providing a £51m package of funding."