Teacher unemployment reaches record levels

Figures released by the General Teaching Council of Scotland today show that unemployment among new teachers has reached record levels.

Just one in six of those who qualified as a teacher this summer has secured a full-time permanent job.

Liz Smith MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning, said:

"The SNP's disastrous education policies mixed in with the effects of Labour's debt legacy have ensured these continue to be depressing times for the teaching profession and those aspiring to become part of it.

"Many people give up other careers to go into teacher training and it is a huge worry, particularly at a time of severe economic recession, that so many are facing such a bleak future.

"Given the severe financial constraints on local authorities, we need far more emphasis on removing the rigidities within the labour market for teachers, most especially the geographical immobility which reduces the numbers of teachers willing to work outside the main cities and central belt area, and the inflexibilities which headteachers face when they want to advertise for new jobs."

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