Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Funding for Teachers and Schools in Scotland

Miles Briggs S6M-15060 That the Parliament believes that the Scottish Government withholding £145 million in funding from local authorities will risk teacher numbers across Scotland declining further; notes that teacher numbers in Scotland have already been declining for two years in a row; acknowledges that many teachers are already struggling to obtain permanent employment; recognises the efforts of the Scottish Teachers for Permanence Campaign, which represents 3,800 teachers searching for permanent work in Scotland; expresses alarm about potential cuts to classroom assistant numbers and the school week due to shortfalls in local authority funding from the Scottish Government, and believes that Scottish Government funding should be used to improve Scotland’s schools. Jenny Gilruth S6M-15060.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-15060 in the name of Miles Briggs (Funding for Teachers and Schools in Scotland), leave out from first “believes” to end and insert “calls on COSLA to accept the £145.5 million that is being made available by the Scottish Government to maintain teacher numbers, in line with the Budget (Scotland) Act 2024, as voted for by the Parliament.” Pam Duncan-Glancy S6M-15060.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-15060 in the name of Miles Briggs (Funding for Teachers and Schools in Scotland), insert at end "; further believes that there should be regular and transparent national level data collected on vacancies in teaching roles and the numbers of registered teachers on supply lists, alongside closer monitoring of the proportion of newly qualified teachers who are in teaching roles, and reiterates that the Scottish Government should publish a comprehensive plan to address gaps in the teaching and school staff workforce as resolved by the Parliament on 15 May 2024."