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More teachers for class size pledge
20/06/2007
Hundreds of extra teachers are to be set to work in nurseries and primary schools in deprived areas next term, as the Scottish government gears up to meet a pledge to cut class sizes.
In Parliament today, Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop unveiled measures she said were designed 'to make Scotland smarter'.
During the next school year, 300 fully qualified teachers who do not yet have full-time posts for next term will be employed in pre-schools and primaries.
An extra 250 teachers will also start training this year, entering schools from August 2008.
The moves are aimed at ensuring that children in the most deprived communities have access to a pre-school teacher. It will also allow councils to begin reducing class sizes in primary 1, 2 and 3.
Read the full text of the Secretary's speech
Ms Hyslop also pledged to work with teacher training institutions to give prospective teachers more choice about the type and location of courses.
She said:
"I am serious about cutting class sizes. This government is moving fast to start delivering on class sizes. Within weeks of taking office, I am already tackling some of the hardest issues in education, and making significant strides towards meeting manifesto commitments on class sizes.
"These moves are just the start of my work to reduce class sizes. I want to see steady and planned progress towards our goal. That means matching the needs of our schools more effectively with available teachers.
"These extra teachers provide a kick start to delivering two important manifesto commitments - protecting the role of teachers in pre-school and cutting class sizes in primary.
"Early intervention will be the hallmark of our approach to education and young people. That's why we are focussing additional resources where they can make the most difference - where children are youngest and most in need."
This year there are approximately 3,500 teachers due to complete their probationary year in June. Previous surveys by the General Teaching Council for Scotland show that around 90 per cent of newly qualified teachers find work in schools by the autumn term.
The Government will take on the costs of employing these 300 additional teachers - approximately £9 million per annum.
Read the full text of the Secretary's speech