Official figures published today show that schools in Scotland are still struggling to fill key teaching vacancies in support areas like educational psychology and learning support.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Margaret Smith MSP said:

“Schools across Scotland are still struggling to recruit educational psychologists and learning support teachers.

“Almost seven per cent of all educational psychologist posts and 19 learning support roles lie vacant. This is depriving school children with additional needs of vital support to help them learn in mainstream schools.

“The SNP are failing miserably to cut class sizes and the number of teachers in Scotland has plunged on their watch. Today’s figures are yet more evidence that the Education Secretary is letting parents and pupils down.”