TEACHER shortages in the Wee County could have a major impact on primary school children, according to a memo from senior council officers.

While there are currently enough staff to fill all vacant posts in August when schools starts again, there is a threat to improvements and closing the attainment gap if any teachers leave or are absent.

Labour opposition leader Councillor Dave Clark said parents should not be concerned but be aware.

He, as well as Conservative opposition leader Cllr Bill Mason, pointed to a national crisis and called on the Scottish Government to do more to tackle the issue.

The Scottish Government said it was taking a number of actions to recruit more teachers, including the possibility of fast-track routes to increase numbers quickly.

Proactive approach

In order to address any problems that may arise, the memo, signed by chief education officer Anne Pearson, outlined a number of scenarios.

The document, which was published on the Scottish Conservatives website, reads: “It could be the case that some schools may have to turn catchment children away and offer alternative places in other schools.
“Ultimately, a level of teacher absence beyond the norm could lead to some schools unable to run classes for certain year groups.”

Furthermore, it could be that the council is not able to maintain its pupil-teacher ratio and nursery teachers may have to take on primary classes. Class sizes could also be bigger than the norm, according to the memo.

This is despite the council’s efforts to continually recruit as many teachers as possible – the service undertook a recruitment exercise in February with 25 hired.

Places were not limited, everyone who met the standards was hired and positions are still open with a number of adverts appearing on job sites in recent weeks.

National crisis with a local impact

Cllr Mason said training and recruiting teachers in Scotland had been problematic for years with a “severe impact” on Clacks.

He added: “The county has a problem in attracting adequate numbers of appropriately-qualified teachers to work in our schools and I fully support and commend our chief education officer, Anne Pearson, for preparing a positive action plan to deal with where we are now, rather than where we would ideally like to be.”

He said that with forward planning the situation should improve but added Holyrood must do all it could to help the “unique situation”.

Cllr Clark told the Advertiser the SNP’s actions at Holyrood were impacting on locals. He said: “Parents shouldn’t be concerned yet. But they should be conscious there is a problem.

“If I were a parent with young children I would be asking Holyrood – not so much the head of education, who really is a victim of the circumstances – why this is the case.”

Millions of pounds poured into education

Cllr Graham Lindsay defended the SNP’s work in education, explained the council is preparing for scenarios before they might become a reality and said: “Our proactive senior management team have been working openly and positively with the administration, and all members, to ensure awareness of any potential risks ahead and to reinforce the robust action plan to mitigate such risks and drive up education standards.

“It is our mission as the administration to showcase Clackmannanshire as a stunning place to live, teach and learn and we will continue to ensure our small county is built on big aspiration for our young people."

He added: “Improving education and the life chances of our children and young people is the defining mission of this SNP Government. This is why we saw the launch of the £750million Attainment Programme, including this year providing £120million of Pupil Equity Funding directly to head teachers.

“The Scottish Government remains committed to maintaining teacher numbers and teacher numbers have increased over the last year nationally.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman told our sister publication The Herald: “We recognise that some councils have faced challenges with teacher numbers which is why we are taking a number of actions to help recruit and retain teachers and widen the pool of available talent.

“We have worked with local authorities to increase teacher numbers this year, with an additional 253 teachers in Scottish classrooms and we are also increasing student teacher places for the sixth consecutive year.”