Decrease in teachers branded unacceptable by striking union
There was 92 less teachers in Scotland last year compared to 2021
Union chiefs are calling a drop in Scottish teachers ‘unacceptable’, ahead of strikes on January 10 and 11.
In 2022 there was 92 less teachers than the year before, with the figure dropping from 54,285 to 54,193.
Only the number of primary school teachers fell.
There was 356 less primary teachers than in 2021, a decrease of 1.3 percent.
Decrease despite funding
Compared to 2021, the number of Scottish pupils increased by 1,151 last year, a 0.16 percent rise.
Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the EIS union, said: "With the overall increase in the number of pupils in our schools, any decline in teacher numbers is unacceptable.
"It is quite remarkable that we now have fewer teachers despite the funding that was specifically provided to support the employment of more teachers.”
Local authorities were given an additional £145 million in education funding last year.
Ms Bradley added: "Scotland's teachers deserve and need a properly funded pay increase, since salary levels and job security are currently insufficient to recruit teachers for the long term.”
Most teachers per pupil
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "In Scotland we still have the most teachers-per-pupil compared to the rest of the UK.
"Education spend per person is higher than England and Wales.
"The government remains committed to a fair, sustainable pay settlement.
"We will continue to work with COSLA and local authorities to ensure that we maximise the value from the additional £145 million, including the number of jobs available for teachers."