As a result the Scottish Government has targeted reductions of up to 20% in recruitment targets for the next two years.
However, with universities struggling due to funding cuts and inflation, they were given the green light to exceed targets for the PGDE (Professional Graduate Diploma in Education).
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As reported by The Scotsman, a Freedom of Information request from campaign group Scottish Teachers for Permanence, an official in the Government’s education workforce unit explained that the target could be exceeded.
They wrote: “The official target for 2023/24 will be 955, however, there will be no clawback applied when a university over-recruits against the modelling of 967 provided by SCDE (Scottish Council of Deans of Education).”
“I hope this reassures SCDE that we continue to support ITE (initial teacher education) providers in adjusting to the decrease in PGDE Primary targets.”
The target for 2023-24 was for 1,734 student primary teachers, but the true figure was 1,803.
A spokesperson for Scottish Teachers for Permanence said: “While there are definite shortages in certain secondary subjects, it appears that universities have become reliant on the funding from ITE places, regardless of workforce planning needs.
“Universities should not be financially motivated to take on more students than needed, as this has created an impossible job market for qualified teachers amidst a background of local authority cuts.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is doing everything it can to help maximise the number of teaching jobs available. To support this, we are making £145.5 million available to local authorities to help protect teacher numbers.
“Last year the intake targets for primary PDGE were reduced by 200 in recognition of the challenges some primary teachers are having in securing permanent contracts. To support universities to adapt to these changes, an exception was made to allow some flexibility in enforcing targets which saw an over recruitment of a very small number (12) of additional students for 2023.
“Ministers are currently reviewing advice on the number of places which should be allocated to ITE providers for next academic year.”
