As pupils in the Perth and Kinross prepare to break up for the festive period, new statistics show that class sizes are not getting smaller with figures showing another 8 teachers were lost in the area last year.
The Scottish Government’s Summary Statistics for Schools, published today, show that since 2010 there are 28 fewer teachers in Perth and Kinross. Primary schools are particularly badly affected with the region dropping 24 primary teachers since 2016.
Furthermore, the percentage of P1-P3 pupils in class sizes of 18 or fewer now stands at 14.7% in Perth and Kinross, down from 23.3% in 2010.
In 2007, the SNP promised to cut class sizes between P1 and P3 to 18 or less.
Murdo Fraser MSP who has been warning about the fall in teacher numbers for a number of years, said the figures once again show how parents and pupils are being let down by the SNP Government.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“These annual figures once again show a fall in teaching staff numbers in Perth and Kinross and a rise in class sizes. We are now in a situation where only 14% of pupils in the Perth and Kinross are in classes of the size the SNP promised to parents.
“The first few years of education are so important for youngsters, particularly those from more deprived backgrounds which is why it is important to have sufficient staffing. The Scottish Government has completely failed to live up to its promises on this.
“Instead, classes Perth and Kinross are getting bigger as teacher numbers fall. Teachers in the region are working really hard but they are being let down by a failure to recruit and appoint enough staff.”