More than 60 Dumfries and Galloway teaching jobs re-advertised in just two years

Daily Record

13-06-2025

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have revealed more than 1,350 teaching posts across Scotland had to be readvertised across Scotland between 2022 and 2024.
More than 60 teaching posts had to be re-advertised in Dumfries and Galloway in the space of two years.
Figures released by the Scottish Liberal Democrats show more than 1,350 teaching posts across Scotland had to be readvertised across Scotland between 2022 and 2024.
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In Dumfries and Galloway, 29 were readvertised in 2022/23 and a further 31 in 2023/24.
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The total of 61, puts it sixth in the rankings of councils who have had to readvertise the most posts.
The data, obtained through a series of information requests, reveal there are currently three posts which are being readvertised.
Annan Academy is looking for a maths teacher, Stranraer Academy is advertising for a physics teacher and a teacher is also sought for Kelloholm Primary.
Scottish Lib Dems education spokesman, Willie Rennie, said: 'Qualified teachers are enduring years of short term, zero hours contracts yet some schools are advertising roles over and over again without success.
'We must make teaching an attractive role if we are to tackle these shortfalls.
'This data suggests that there are acute shortages in rural areas and in key subjects like maths.
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'Terrible workforce planning has resulted in missed opportunities for so many young people and so many teacherstoo.
'If we want every young person to reach their potential they need teachers who can inform and inspire
'Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see new three-year packages for probationers who are willing to take on hard-to-fill roles, as well as offering 'teacher premiums' to reward the best teachers in schools with the greatest need.
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'No one believes education is high up the SNP's agenda.
'That's why we need a change of government to get Scottish education back to its best.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The number of teachers in Scotland's classrooms has increased by more than 2,500 over the past decade as a result of direct funding from the Scottish Government, with the number in permanent posts remaining stable at more than 80 per cent over this period.
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'However, we are working hard to ensure that teaching remains an attractive profession, with Scotland's teachers continuing to be the best paid in the UK, and our teaching bursary scheme provides funding to career-changers wishing to undertake a teaching degree in the hardest to fill subjects.
'Ministers have been clear they are laser-focused on improving education and supporting Scotland's teachers.
'That is why we are providing councils with £186.5 million this year to increase teacher numbers, and why ministers continue to engage regularly with local government and teaching unions.'
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A spokesperson for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) added: 'Local authorities work hard to fill vacancies to meet the needs of learners in all areas of Scotland, but there are challenges.
'For example, we know that newly qualified teachers tend to seek posts within the central belt of Scotland.
'Many of the areas which struggle to recruit teachers are beautiful and exciting areas of the country to work in, with unique opportunities for learning and development.
'Cosla and Scottish Government have committed to working together on medium and long-term joint workforce planning, taking into account the importance of responding to issues in a way which addresses differing local needs.'