SCOTLAND’S schools spent more than £81 million — or £220,000 a day — on supply teachers last year.
Figures from 30 of the country’s 32 local authorities show a total bill of £81.5m was run up 2016/17.
The data was obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats through Freedom of Information.
Glasgow City Council had the highest bill at £16.6m, followed by North Lanarkshire at £11.5m.
Shetland Islands Council spent the least at £312,861. Neither West Lothian nor North Ayrshire provided figures.
Data from 27 out of 32 councils showed a supply teacher cost of £66.1 million in 2015/16.
The LibDems also revealed there were 795 unfilled teaching posts when pupils returned to school after the summer holidays this year.
The party’s education spokesman Tavish Scott said: “Local authorities are spending more than £220,000 a day on supply teachers.
“This money could be better invested in ensuring schools have enough permanent staff in the first place. There are many quality, hardworking supply teachers who do a great job filling classroom gaps.
“Children’s education is better when they have consistency in the classroom.
“The lack of a permanent teacher over a prolonged period can be a hindrance to their education.
“This bill also shows it is time
we gave the teaching profession a well-overdue boost. A new wide-ranging independent review needs to look at teachers’ pay, conditions, numbers and support and pave the way for meaningful changes.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel