New teachers must be trained to meet shortages in subjects

The Scottish Government has announced that they will advise the Scottish Funding Council that Universities should increase the number of student teachers in 2012-2013, so they are ready to become probationary teachers by 2013.

Scottish Conservative Education Spokesperson, Liz Smith MSP said:

"The crucial point is not just that there should be the right number of teachers trained to match the projected increase in demand across Scotland, but that they are trained in the appropriate subject areas.

"We are witnessing serious concerns about whether we are training sufficient teachers of Modern Languages, of Religious and Moral Education and of PE to name just a few. There is also the very important issue of how costs will be met amongst local authorities.

"Both Labour's and the SNP's records on teacher numbers and workforce planning do not inspire confidence. Let's hope Mike Russell has got his sums right this time and we don't have a repeat of the shambles of the last few years."

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