Scotland's education landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, as recent figures reveal a troubling trend of teachers leaving the profession at an alarming rate. According to data released by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), the number of educators de-registering increased to 4,374 in the academic year 2024-25, representing a 31 per cent rise from 2021-22. This trend has prompted the Scottish Labour Party to voice strong criticism of the Scottish National Party (SNP) government, attributing the exodus to failures in educational policy.
Of those who departed last year, 2,170 were under the age of 56, marking a substantial 66 per cent increase compared to three years earlier. The rise is particularly notable among younger teachers, with those aged 21 to 25 seeing a dramatic increase of 96 per cent, from 71 to 139. Similarly, figures for those aged 26 to 30 rose by 33 per cent to 455, while the 31 to 35 age group experienced a 70 per cent increase to 417. The 41 to 45 age group reported the most significant growth in de-registrations, climbing by 106 per cent from 144 to 296 during the same period.
Pam Duncan-Glancy, Labour's education spokesperson, condemned the SNP’s handling of the education sector, stating, "These damning figures tell the story of the SNP’s failure in our schools." She further elaborated, "Qualified teachers are being driven out by the SNP’s incompetence – whether it’s their shambolic workforce planning, their cuts to ASN, or their failure to tackle the rising tide of violence in our classrooms." Duncan-Glancy expressed concern over the detrimental effects on the education system and called for a shift in direction to restore Scotland’s once-prestigious schools.
The GTCS has acknowledged several factors contributing to the wave of de-registrations. Many teachers have reported difficulties in securing permanent positions, a lack of institutional support, and excessive workloads as primary reasons for their departure. Concerns have also been raised regarding classroom violence and insufficient provision for additional support needs (ASN). Some educators indicated they were leaving Scotland altogether, suggesting that the issue may not solely be tied to dissatisfaction within the profession.
Stuart Hunter from the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association has weighed in on the crisis, asserting that "education is broken" and suggesting that the school system has reached a critical tipping point.
In a response to the rising concerns over teacher retention, a spokesman for Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth highlighted recent government initiatives aimed at bolstering the education workforce. He noted that the SNP government has allocated nearly £200 million to increase teacher numbers and an additional £29 million for the ASN workforce, asserting efforts to maximise teaching posts and protect learning hours.
The ongoing decline in teacher retention and the mounting pressures within the education system pose significant challenges for Scotland, raising questions about the future of its educational framework. As these issues continue to unfold, the dialogue surrounding educational policy and teacher support remains crucial.
Source: Noah Wire Services