Teachers quitting due to a lack of jobs

SCHOOLS face losing their most talented new teachers because of a shortage of permanent jobs, it has emerged.

Those who change careers to join the profession are quitting after just a year because they cannot afford to drop to part-time hours or work on an ad-hoc basis, a leading teaching union claims.

At the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association conference at the weekend, delegates heard that growing numbers of new teachers are becoming disillusioned and bitter.

Current rules guarantee every person graduating with a teaching qualification a one-year, full-time training placement at a school.

After this "probationary year", successful candidates register for full teacher status with the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS).

But there is no guarantee of work and many are forced to take on supply work or part-time roles, leaving them in financial hardship.

Rab Davidson, an SSTA Renfrew representative, said: "Are we prepared to lose the enthusiasm of these people? They are coming in after being told they are needed and then, after a year, are being told they are not needed."