Commenting on the on the Scottish Government’s Budget, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:

“The commitment to maintaining funding for teacher numbers is welcome, as is additional spending to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap and the cancellation of school meal debt.

“But this isn’t enough to address the rising tide of issues facing schools and which teachers and headteachers are struggling to deal with.

“Schools are continuing to face a host of post-pandemic emotional, social and development needs in pupils. The number of pupils with Additional Support Needs continues to rise significantly.

“Without additional resources schools will face greater difficulties in meeting the needs of all pupils and children and young people will face increased barriers to their learning and attainment.”

Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland National Official, said:

“The Scottish Government has made a pledge to the public to guarantee to maintain teacher numbers.

“Official figures on the teaching workforce released last week show that this guarantee is already under pressure, with some councils failing to fully adhere to it.

“The Scottish Government must keep to the promises it has made and take action to ensure local authorities are acting to, as an absolute minimum, maintain teacher numbers.”