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Sturgeon hits back in teacher shortage row

Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has dismissed claims by Ruth Davidson that government bureaucracy is worsening the teacher shortage, saying the Conservative leader has “lost the plot”.

Ms Davidson said more than 550 teachers who had qualified outside Scotland were prevented from taking up posts because they could not be registered until they had retrained north of the border.

She raised the issue after the headteacher at Trinity Academy in Edinburgh appealed last week to suitably qualified parents for help in filling two vacancies for maths teachers.

In a letter to parents, Bryan Paterson wrote: “Where necessary, maths teachers may share some classes, particularly in S1 to S3, with colleagues from other faculties who have a mathematics background.

“Finally, if any parent can support us in any way, or knows anyone who might be able to do so, please contact me directly.”

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