LABOUR EXPOSE FALLING TEACHER NUMBERS IN SCHOOLS

Half of Scottish councils have reduced their primary and secondary staffing levels this year, despite Scottish Government promises to keep teacher numbers at their present levels.

Scottish Labour obtained the figures in a Freedom of Information request. Labour's Ken Macintosh said they showed that the SNP were "breaking their promises to Scotland's children."

Of the 28 councils who responded, 14 have fewer full-time equivalent teachers in primary schools and 17 are employing fewer in secondaries.

Labour's Education Spokesman Ken Macintosh said:

"The SNP are breaking their promises to Scotland's children.

"The Scottish Government made a manifesto commitment to reduce class sizes to 18 for five to seven year olds. Instead, class sizes are rising and teachers are leaving the profession.

"The SNP are failing to stand up for education. It is their responsibility to provide local councils with enough money to employ new teachers and they are not doing so."

24/10/8