29 January 2010

Smith - Government Admits Defeat on Teacher Numbers

Commenting on Michael Russell’s admission to the Times Educational Supplement that the SNP Government won’t be able to return teacher numbers to the level of the previous administration, Margaret Smith MSP for Edinburgh West said:

“To lose one teacher is careless, to lose 2,300 is criminal. 

“The Education Secretary has admitted defeat.  This Government won’t get teacher numbers back up again.  But given they are cutting hundreds of teacher training places this year and the next, this isn’t a surprising admission. 

“The plummeting number of teachers under the SNP will have a serious impact on the quality of education that can be delivered in our classrooms and could jeopardise the future of teacher training facilities across the country.”