Parties agree to monitor ‘disruptive’ staff shortages in Dundee schools

City bosses have agreed to monitor “disruptive” staff shortages at Dundee schools.

Councillors voted to support a motion calling for an annual report on teacher levels in the city.

The decision followed claims by Councillor Laurie Bidwell that children’s education was being put at risk by a lack of teachers.

He said: “Over the last year, we have suffered from a lack of specialist cover and a lack of supply teachers. Permanent posts have also taken too long to filled. This has put a huge strain on current staff who have to act as cover.

“The shortage in classrooms has meant they have had to go above and beyond what is reasonable.

“They have gone more than the extra mile and it is unreasonable to expect it to go be able to go on indefinitely.”

Director of education Michael Wood agreed there had been difficulties, but said the local authority was working to resolve the crisis.

He told the education committee 96 people had been interviewed for teaching posts in the city recently and that the council is trying to recruit teachers from as far afield as Ireland.