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Proposal to raise taxes to fill teaching vacancies

Recruitment & Retention
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have called for a rise in income tax to fund teacher recruitment after figures showed schools north of the border began the new academic year with more than 700 vacancies.

Rural areas in particular have struggled to fill posts in subjects including English, maths and science, according to data released under Freedom of Information legislation.

There were 388 primary and 341 secondary teaching vacancies.

Argyll and Bute reported the most vacant posts one week before the start of term, with 139 full-time equivalent primary and 61 secondary teachers being sought. Next was Aberdeen with 86 in total and Borders with 47.

Tavish Scott MSP, the Liberal Democrats education spokesman, said teachers would be “dangerously overstretched” until action was taken to address the gaps.

“As the school year started schools across Scotland have been desperately trying to find qualified permanent staff. Thousands of pupils faced the prospect of going back to school without a dedicated class teacher in place.

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