£4m 'could boost teacher recruitment'

Published on Friday 20 March 2009 13:35

ONE hundred new teachers could benefit from £4 million plans to establish senior posts as part of education reforms, it was announced today.

Education secretary Fiona Hyslop said the cash will be used to draw experienced teachers from the ranks, creating new positions across Scotland which could be filled by the 100 new teachers.

The moves are part of the SNP's "curriculum for excellence", which takes a fresh look at what is taught from the age of three to 18.

Scotland's biggest teaching union the EIS welcomed the funding but described it as a "very small step" in the right direction.

Ms Hyslop said: "By announcing 100 additional teachers provided by additional funding of 4 million in 2009-2010, we are demonstrating this Government's commitment to easing the pressures of the economic downturn by reducing teacher unemployment and investing in skills.

"We are taking action to reduce the number of post-probationers without posts and we are also listening to and acting on concerns about the need for local support and leadership for curriculum for excellence from experienced practitioners."

EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith welcomed the announcement.

"However, it is only a very small step and much more needs to be done to ensure the success of the curriculum for excellence," he said.

"One hundred extra teachers is effectively just one teacher for every 25 schools in Scotland."