Teacher jobs puzzle

That was the question asked by South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth to Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville. He questioned the Scottish Government about why so few probationary primary teachers in Dumfries and Galloway manage to secure full time employment in the region - last year it was just three. Speaking in Holyrood, Mr Smyth said: “Primary teachers who carry out their probation in Dumfries and Galloway have one of the lowest rates of permanent employment. “Only three teachers—just six per cent—of the 2020-21 cohort secured a permanent teaching position. “There is a problem across Scotland, especially in rural areas.” The MSP asked what additional steps the Government will take to support local authorities to fill teaching vacancies. He later added: “It is time that the Scottish Government stopped ignoring this serious issue and started supporting councils, especially rural councils like Dumfries and Galloway, to fill teacher vacancies.”