Less than 1 in 4 new teachers get a stable job

Scottish Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP today said the SNP Government has let down teachers after new figures revealed that the number of newly qualified teachers finding permanent employment has got even worse.

Official statistics released today show just 23% of newly qualified teachers (post induction-scheme) are in full-time permanent work, down from 56.5% in 2016/17.

Mr Rennie said:

“Eager graduates are being promised long-term, rewarding work as teachers, only to be placed on demoralising temporary and zero hours contacts. Teachers are worried about how they will pay the bills, get a mortgage or start a family. There are stark reports of 170 applications for one temporary position and people sacrificing good careers in industry only to find there's no job for them after completing teacher training.

"People are being forced out of the profession because they can't make ends meet when young people need good teachers more than ever. Far too many pupils with additional support needs aren’t being properly supported.

"The SNP Government has let them all down by messing up teacher training intakes and causing the culture of temporary and zero hours jobs.

"Scotland's teachers deserve better."