1,300 teachers have quit within five years of starting work

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie has today revealed that since 2018 more than 1,300 teachers have left the profession within five years of starting their careers as he called on the Scottish Government to ensure that teaching is an attractive career path.

A Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information request to the General Teaching Council for Scotland has revealed that since 2018:

• 1,337 registrants have permanently left the register, within 5 years of gaining provisional registration.
• The number of registrants leaving the register each year has increased from 183 in 2018 to 338 in 2023.

Mr Rennie said:

“With industrial disputes becoming a regular occurrence and reports of violence in classrooms, I can understand why teaching is not as attractive a career as it once was.

“Those who have completed their probation aren’t being offered stable contracts, with many turning to casual work or supply lists instead. Teachers who are just starting out on their careers are feeling demoralised, disillusioned and disincentivized.

“The SNP once claimed they wanted to be judged on their record on education. They certainly aren’t saying that anymore.

“If we want to give our young people the best chance of getting ahead in life, they need access to great teachers and a great education.  

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see properly resourced schools and education authorities with a plan for getting Scottish education moving in the right direction. We would make teaching a more attractive career path by bringing back principal teachers for key subjects, halting teacher cuts, stable contracts and boosting in-class support.”