Use of retired teachers 'unfair'

CONCERNS about the job prospects for newly qualified teachers were raised today after figures revealed hundreds of retired teachers were brought back into the classrooms in the past year.

Data uncovered by the Liberal Democrats showed that at least 933 retired teachers were used for supply work in Scotland during the last academic year.

It was also revealed that councils across Scotland have at least 2,472 retired teachers on file who have registered their willingness to carry out supply work. A number of local authorities did not hold the information requested under Freedom of Information laws, meaning the actual figures could be even higher.

The statistics prompted calls from the Liberal Democrats for councils to think hard before employing a retiree instead of a new graduate.

The party's education spokeswoman Margaret Smith said: "Retired teachers often have a lot to offer to young people, but with so many probationary teachers struggling to find work, councils should think twice before employing someone who has chosen to retire rather than someone who has been newly trained at considerable cost to the taxpayer. The SNP government have cut hundreds of teaching posts and it is now harder than ever for graduates of Moray House and Jordanhill to find work. There is little point training so many young enthusiastic teachers if there are no jobs for them to go to."

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "The Teachers Employment Working Group, which included local authority representation, recommended in 2008 that authorities should favour probationary teachers when supply work was required.

"Many authorities also have agreements in place to ensure that teachers who retire early are excluded from supply work. However, the contribution that experienced supply teachers can make should not be underestimated."