SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLANS to increase investment aimed at training a further 260 teachers next year has been welcomed by Moray’s MSP.
Richard Lochhead said that the efforts of Moray Council to increase teacher recruitment are well known – but continues to face severe difficulties.
Now the MSP says that is being recognised by the Scottish Government who have made an additional £2million in funding available – enough, they say, to train an additional 260 teachers.
Mr Lochhead said: “The challenges that the Moray Council has faced in recruiting teachers and filling vacancies in our schools are well known.
“I have been in regular contact with the Education Minister on this issue and I’m pleased that the Scottish Government is investing £2million to train an extra 260 teachers next year.
“It is absolutely vital that we have the right number of teachers in our schools to provide young people in Moray with the best opportunities. I am hopeful that our local schools will benefit from the steps being taken to increase teacher numbers and to review whether additional steps need to be taken to ensure that we have the teachers we need in Moray.”
Figures released by the Scottish Government claims that 60 primary and 200 secondary student teacher places being made available will bring the total intake to 3490 – an increase for the fifth successive year.