ALL TRAINED UP AND NOWHERE TO TEACH

- New teachers struggle to find full time work following probationary year -

Over 300 probationary teachers were denied a full time job in Renfrewshire in the last two years. Some have been given supply work but there is no more supply work to go around. Having one supply teacher after another is not good for giving our kids the best education they deserve.

These 300 people trained to be teachers because they thought they would be in demand but only 4 have got the full time job they rightfully expect at the end of their training.

The rocketing number of probationary teachers in our schools in the last couple of years whilst rolls are falling backs the claims by other teachers that probationers are being used as cheap labour. In fact, what these probationers need is lots of hands on supervision and support by experienced teachers to let them become the teachers they can be.

By pushing probationers on to ever lengthening supply lists simply means there are more supply teachers chasing the same volume of supply work.

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For 2009/10 the provisional number of probationary induction scheme teachers as at 3rd June 2009 was 143.
A major factor in Renfrewshire being one of the only councils not to permanently employ any of its probationers this year is due to it being one of the only councils to be making an absolute cut in its education spend (and the only SNP-led Council to be doing so)

Local MSP, Wendy Alexander said:

“Of over 300 employees in our schools in the last two years only four now have a full time job teaching in Renfrewshire. I have heard from a number of bright, qualified and enthusiastic teachers who feel utterly let down by the SNP. They are left to sign on whilst hoping for the odd supply date. What option do these 300 new teachers have? Should they give up on teaching and look for something else?

“It is a disgrace that not one of last years probationary teachers have so far been given a full time contract. I am saddened to see such a tremendous waste of teacher talent and Fiona Hyslop should be apologising for the state she’s created. The evidence is clear – full time teaching jobs are hard to come by and there is little supply work to go around.”