Robert Brown slams cuts in teacher numbers

12.00.00am GMT Tue 23rd Dec 2008

Official figures showing that teacher numbers in Scotland have fallen by 900 to their lowest level for 2 years have been attacked by Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown as "quite appalling". Mr. Brown, who was Deputy Minister for Education and Young People in the previous Scottish Government until May 2007, said that the SNP Government should "hang its head in shame" at the teacher figures.

Robert Brown went on: "When Liberal Democrats were in Government before 2007, we raised teacher numbers by 3,000 to 53,000. It is appalling that the current SNP Government has

allowed new, enthusiastic teachers to be left without jobs and to put all the previous good work at risk. We have had nothing but excuses from the Education Secretary as this situation has

developed. It is all very well blaming the Councils but it is a problem across Scotland and the buck stops with the Education Secretary.

More teachers means more flexibility in schools, more options for drama, sport and music, and more individual attention for children; Less teachers means greater pressure and less opportunity for children.

The SNP Government should hang their heads in shame at allowing such a situation to develop."