Teacher numbers in STEM subjects fall by 900

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has accused the SNP of "playing fast and loose" with Scotland's economic future, as new figures revealed there are 900 fewer teachers in STEM subjects than when the SNP first came to power

New figures show that between 2008 and 2025:

• The number of maths teachers fell by 361.
• The number of computing teachers fell by 243.
• The number of physics teachers fell by 108.
• The number of technical education teachers fell by 188.

Willie Rennie said:

“The SNP have plaid fast and loose with Scotland’s economic future by presiding over a worrying decline in key STEM subjects.

“Pupils are missing out on hundreds of teachers who are needed to inspire them, lift attainment and propel them towards high-skill, high-pay jobs.

“If nothing is done to fix this, these gaps could ripple for generations to come.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want to throw the weight and levers of government behind key industries like life sciences, defence and energy, and to attract more people into teaching, including those who are in the later stages of their careers.

“If you like the sound of that, you should back the Scottish Liberal Democrats on your second, peach, regional ballot paper in May.”