Each teaching post ‘chased by 17 applicants’

From the BBC

Every teaching vacancy in Scotland is being chased by an average of 17 applicants, according to official figures.

The competition for the posts varied from 49 for each job in Stirling to three per vacancy in Shetland.

The Liberal Democrats, who obtained the details through freedom of information requests, said the figures showed teachers’ talents were “being wasted”.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said the numbers were “a concern”.

In total, 75,579 applications were made for 4,520 vacancies in 2009-10 – an average of about 17 for each position.

The average number of applications per job included 14 in Aberdeenshire, 21 in Dundee, 27 in Edinburgh and six in Glasgow.

Aberdeen City Council said it did not hold the details.

Higher numbers included 47 in Midlothian, 37 in East Renfrewshire and 33 in North Lanarkshire.

Lower averages per job included five in the Western Isles, four in Dumfries and Galloway, five in Orkney and 10 in Moray.

‘Reduce competition’

Lib Dem education spokeswoman Margaret Smith said the figures “will be deeply concerning for teachers”.

She added: “The SNP said they would maintain the record number of teachers they inherited from the previous executive but teacher numbers are down by 3,000.

“Scotland’s young people are also missing out on the opportunity to learn from newly-trained, enthusiastic teachers who have a wealth of talent and skill, being wasted as they struggle to find jobs.”

Education Secretary Michael Russell said: “The difficulties faced by teachers looking for a post is a concern.

“Scotland is already unique in guaranteeing a year’s employment after graduation from initial teacher education, but we want to do more and we are examining ways we can provide further help.

“While recent figures show that teacher unemployment is lower in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK, we are still working hard to address the issue and have cut student intake, which will reduce competition for jobs.”

Labour still feeling the heat over schools vote

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Published Date: 08 April 2010

THE storm that engulfed councillors following the vote on the future of schools shows no sign of abating.

Parents and political rivals have kept up the pressure on the ruling Labour group who followed the party whip in pushing through the closures of St Francis of Assisi Primary School and Cedar Road Nursery, along with schools in other parts of North Lanarkshire.

The most frequent accusation is that the council’s consultation was a sham.

Karen Eadie, chairwoman of a committee set up to fight for Francis’s said: “The consultation was hugely flawed.

“Our community loses, our parents lose and most importantly our children lose.”

Nationalist MSP Jamie Hepburn, whose council colleagues opposed the closures, said: “This is extremely disappointing news for the parents, pupils and campaigners who have worked so hardand, yet, have not received the support of the Labour councillors that are supposed to be representing them.

“A very strong case was put forward for keeping both locations open. Rather than develop the schools and nurseries affected, and invest in the education and future of Cumbernauld’s children, the Labour-run council opted for short-term savings.”

And Willie O’Neill, Scottish Socialist Party candidate in the General Election, also believes that the consultation was flawed.

“All of the responses to the council’s consultation said that St Francis should stay open, yet no one will be surprised that the council has decided to close it.

“This shows that the consultation was a sham, with an outcome that had been decided before it began. Parents presented a watertight case to keep the school, only to have it completely ignored by the council who have put cash before kids by voting to close the school,” he said.

“I hope parents maintain their opposition to closure and whatever course of action they pursue to defend their children’s education will have my full support.”

Mr O’Neill also claimed that this closure is the shape of things to come in public services.

“A massive campaign of defiance will be needed to force a rethink and the SSP is committed to do whatever we can to assist in building such a campaign.”