Exclusive:SNP three year teacher guarantee 'could increase insecurity for experienced staff'

Scottish government figures show teachers are spending years on temporary supply lists with just one in four of those newly qualified securing a permanent contract.

In response, the SNP said it would offer a three year guaranteed placement as part of the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS).

READ MORE: 'Broken promises': 9 in 10 newly qualified primary teachers do not have full-time permanent jobs

However, qualified teachers have begun a letter writing campaign to parliamentarians asking for reassurance this scheme will not affect their employment chances.

Meanwhile, internal government documents released under freedom of information laws suggests the scheme is still under consideration by ministers.

Scottish Labour education spokeswoman Katherine Sangster said: “So far this policy is nothing more than a few sentences that can be found in the SNP manifesto.

“In typical SNP style it’s a bold promise with little to no work behind it.

“The SNP must recognise that every teacher in Scotland deserves access to permanent positions and the job security that comes with them.

“Our children also deserve the consistency and continuity of teaching that a stable workforce provides.”

Experienced teachers say they are concerned that three years of guaranteed employment for newly qualified staff will reduce job opportunities overall.

They fear there could be “fewer pathways into permanent positions for teachers who have already demonstrated years of commitment and service”.

And that this may lead to the potential loss of highly experienced teachers from the profession and a policy that risks worsening teacher retention.

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An internal briefing note from advisors to Mairi McAllan ahead of her attendance at the EIS union AGM shows the education secretary being told to say “I will be working with my officials over the coming months to consider the steps we need to take, whilst also talking to partners to ensure we get this right and truly address the concerns of those we have listened to”.

Ms McAllan is also told she should respond to questions with: “I recognise that this is a complex problem and will therefore require us to carefully consider how we build the most effective solutions together.”

The Scottish government has repeatedly pledged to increase teachers numbers.

However, the EIS teaching union said Scotland was 4,310 teachers down on the level promised in the 2021 SNP manifesto pledge.

Teachers can spend a decade on temporary contracts, saying the insecurity prevents them taking out mortgages and even starting families.

Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher said Ms McAllan “must show humility” and “urgently listen to those concerned by these proposals”.

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“Two decades of SNP education failures has left Scotland’s schools desperately short of teachers,” she added.

“But that shouldn’t mean that one group of teachers suddenly enjoy a greater advantage compared to those who have had to suffer the uncertainty of being on temporary contracts for far too long.

“This policy could end up creating more insecurity for those who want to teach in Scotland’s classrooms and it is imperative the SNP don’t railroad through a policy which could have deeply damaging consequences for our education system.”

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A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Councils are responsible for matters regarding employment contracts for teachers.

“The new Teacher Jobs Guarantee is designed to address concerns raised by the profession and aims to ensure qualified teachers can develop sustainable and rewarding careers, providing them with enhanced certainty and stability in the period after they qualify. Further details will be set out in due course.”