Dundee University to help tackle Scotland's teacher shortage
There were 700 vacancies when pupils returned after the summer holidays this year.
Last updated 13th Sep 2017
The University of Dundee is hoping to tackle Scotland's 'chronic shortage' of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers.
It’s launching a new programme which combines the current one-year qualification and probationary year undertaken by new teachers, so they'll be fully-registered several months earlier than they are now.
Student-inductees will also receive an immediate £22,400 salary from the beginning, which lecturers believe will be of huge benefit, especially to those who want to study, but can't afford to.
The course is geared toward recruiting chemistry, maths, computing, home economics and physics teachers, after Scotland's pupils returning to school last month with 700 teaching vacancies across the country.
Lecturer in Education at the University and leader of the programme, Lauren Boath said: “Supported Induction recognises teaching's critical importance to our country’s future.
“If Scotland is to prosper in the 21st century we need scientists, engineers and technologists to help tackle the great global challenges of the age and for that to happen we need to instill in our children a passion for these subjects that carries through into their working lives or further studies.
“The problem is that there simply aren’t enough STEM graduates choosing to go into teaching.
"In recent years there have been numerous initiatives to try and encourage these graduates to consider a career in teaching but we still face a shortfall on our conventional teacher education programmes. If we are going to turn this around then we have to think outside the box.”
The intensive postgraduate course will see student-inductees undertake more University-based learning time than on the existing course.
After an initial block of face-to-face teaching, each student-inductee will be paired with a mentor in their identified placement school.
The student-inductees will observe their mentor in the classroom and work closely with them before they are given their first opportunity to take a class under supervision.
The scheme has been developed by the School of Education and Social Work in conjunction with local authority partners and has been informed by feedback from current and past trainee teachers.
Lauren continued, “It is essential a diverse range of routes into the profession exist, particularly for anyone considering a career change several years after graduating.
"We know from speaking to those in this group that a year without pay, childcare, travel and other logistical challenges proves prohibitive for many.
"Not only will our student-inductees earn a wage, but they will be based in the same school throughout the entire programme, providing certainty and continuity".