Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats
Lib Dems reveal rise in teacher training applications
March 31, 2010 5:32 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats have revealed there have been on average 8.1 applications to study next year for every teacher training place in Scotland, at a time when the SNP have cut the number of places for entry this year.
Figures released to the Liberal Democrats under Freedom of Information legislation by teacher training institutions across Scotland show there have so far been 15,821 applications to start training in August. There are only 1949 places available for trainee teachers this year, down from 3569 last year.
The worst affected institution is the University of Glasgow, which has so far received 4246 applications for only 406 places: 10.5 applications per place.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Margaret Smith said:
"The number of applications to teacher training courses is set to rise this year. Already there have been nearly 16,000 applications, only 100 fewer than applied in total last year.
"The SNP have slashed the number of training places by 1,500 this year.
"But these figures show that has not deterred people from applying to become teachers.
"The SNP's plans risk the creation of a lost generation of teachers without jobs.
"Investment in teacher training places is investment in the future of all Scotland's children.
"Liberal Democrats want to restore teacher numbers to the levels they were at during the previous Executive.
"Under the SNP teacher numbers have fallen by 2,300 - having a direct and negative impact on Scotland's education."
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