Teacher numbers in Scotland have fallen by almost 4,000 since the SNP came into Government.
Statistics released by the Scottish Government reveal there are fewer people in charge of classrooms now than at any point since the 2007 election.
Average class sizes for P1-3 pupils also rose from 22.5 to 22.6 despite the SNP’s aim of achieving levels of 18 or fewer children in every class.
Scottish Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Hugh Henry yesterday said the Nats had ”conned both teachers and parents”, citing the reduction of 3,902 teachers in the last five years.
He said: ”The SNP Government has broken its promise to reduce class sizes in P1-P3, even worse in secondary schools. SNP ministers have allowed an increase in class sizes in English and maths in S1 and S2, vital transitional years for school pupils.
”The figures show the shocking reality of the SNP’s broken promise on teacher numbers.”
Education Secretary Mike Russell said this year’s fall was the lowest drop in teacher numbers in the last five years and the national pupil-to-teacher ratio has been broadly maintained since last year.
He also pointed to figures which showed the number of P1 pupils being taught in classes of more than 25 has dropped by 97% since 2006 and claimed ”clear progress” had been made in reducing class sizes.
He said: ”We are providing stability in our classrooms and have halted the decline in teacher numbers evident since 2007.
”We know the importance of investment in the early years and we are succeeding, with access to a registered teacher in nursery increasing to 75.4%.
”Small class sizes are a vital part of our commitment to the early years, so where pupil numbers are rising I anticipate that councils will increase teacher numbers in future.
”Real progress is being made. We are delivering for our schools and our schools are delivering for their pupils.
”We will continue to work hard to make further improvements and, despite the difficult financial circumstances we face, we are confident we can go on delivering on our ambition to make Scotland the best place to grow up.”
Dundee and Perth and Kinross councils’ pupil-to-teacher ratios rose from 12.1 to 12.3 and 12.9 to 13.1m, respectively, from 2011, while Angus and Fife councils’ stuck at 13.2 and 13.7. The national ratio has been largely maintained, at 13.4.
Across Scotland, the number of P1 pupils in classes of more than 25 has fallen from 16,845 in 2006 to 609 last year and 503 in 2012.
Access to a General Teaching Council Scotland-registered teacher by children in pre-school centres increased from 74.9% in 2011 to 75.4% in 2012.
The proportion of post-probationer teachers in permanent or temporary employment has risen to 75% in 2012, up from 66% in 2011.