By Professor John Robertson, OBA
Every year, the Scottish Government monitors the number of teachers and pupils in the system, predicts future demand and adjusts teacher training place numbers to take account of this, with a view to not having too many teachers or overspending in one area of its fixed budget.
Sensible?
Last year, they were able to say:
In Scotland, the number of primary school pupils peaked in 2017 at around 400,000 pupils before decreasing to around 390,000 in 2021. Estimates using 2018-based population projections show a continued decrease each year to around 355,000 in 2027. 1
and have cut student numbers by 20%.
The Scotsman view, however, is:
Exclusive: SNP plans 20% cut to number of new primary school teachers as job shortages leave thousands on ‘scrap heap
Not in the Scotsman report:
From the Times in December 20222:
From the SNP in September 2024:
According to Tes, formerly known as the Times Educational Supplement, Scottish teacher starting salaries were £32,217 from January 2024, in England, outside of London, new teachers get paid £30,000 a year. 3
From UK Government in November 2023:
Pupil to teacher ratios in maintained schools were lowest in Scotland (13.2) and similar in Northern Ireland (17.4), England (18.0) and Wales (18.4). 4
These are big differences in the load faced by Scottish teachers compared with those elsewhere in the UK.
Sources:
- https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/statistics/2016/12/pupil-projections/documents/pupil-projections-2018-2020/pupil-projections-2018-2020/govscot%3Adocument/Pupil%2BProjections%2B2022-2027%2Bfor%2BScotland%2Band%2BLocal%2BAuthorities%2B-%2B2018-2020%2Bbased.docx#:~:text=Scotland%20Level%20Pupil%20Projections%20(2020,to%20around%20309%2C000%20in%202027.
- https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/scottish-teachers-among-best-paid-in-the-world-r8tbxdztw
- https://clarehaughey.scot/2024/09/19/scotlands-teachers-remain-best-paid-in-the-uk-following-new-pay-deal/#:~:text=This%20new%20pay%20deal%20follows,paid%20%C2%A330%2C000%20a%20year.
- https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-and-training-statistics-for-the-uk
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Talking-up Scotland 
Sunday Herald is going with this ‘teachers can’t get jobs’ line too.
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I’m grateful to anyone who, reads, listens or watches the M.S.M lies, and informs me what is being said, because frankly, I gave up years ago. And why? Because of my anger, mainly at the number of quislings in our midst, openly denigrating our fine nation, all for foreign gold.
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Sadly, there are those in society that have such low esteem that they will do anything to gain praise for their actions. These so called journalists are no different.
Westminster I am sure, is quite happy to supply the praise and inducements for their efforts against their fellow Scots.
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Primary 23 pupils. Secondary 5/6 year lower class sizes. Councils cut additional needs support. Scottish Gov are funding nature/nurture practitioners and counsellors in schools.
There were always new teachers trying to get jobs that suit. Sometimes they need to travel elsewhere until a suitable post becomes available. In the area they want. It is the same in other professions.
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