606 fewer modern language teachers than when SNP came to power

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today said that only his party have got a realistic plan to get Scottish education back to its best, as he revealed that there are now 606 fewer French and German teachers than when the SNP first came to power.

New figures reveal that between 2008 and 2025:

• The number of French teachers fell by 487.
• The number of German teachers fell by 119.

Willie Rennie said:

“The SNP have jeopardised language learning by allowing these numbers to plummet. Subjects like French and German have been squeezed by reforms to the curriculum.

“Being able to speak another language opens so many doors in life, which is why these figures represent such a loss.

“Fewer teachers in subjects like French and German risks a closing down of opportunities for young people.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have a positive, outward-looking vision for Scotland where children can develop the essential skills offered by languages.

“If you want to get Scottish education back to its best, you should back the Scottish Liberal Democrats on your second, peach, regional ballot paper in May.”