NEW analysis released this week by the Scottish Government shows Scotland has a significantly higher pupil-teacher ratio than England or Wales.
There are 7495 teachers per 100,000 pupils in Scotland – while in England and Wales the equivalent figures are 5586 and 5119 respectively.
Last year the number of teachers working in Scottish schools rose by more than 500, while the total number of teachers in schools has risen every year since 2014. Primary teacher numbers are also at their highest level since 1980.
Announced by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay earlier this year, the Scottish Government has already committed £120 million of funding for schools.
It will be delivered directly to headteachers to spend at their discretion – allowing for additional staffing to boost attainment levels.
Commenting, SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said: “Thanks to SNP investment we have hundreds more teachers in Scottish classrooms, benefitting pupils the length and breadth of Scotland.
“Education is the SNP’s number one priority and the Scottish Government has upped investment year on year to ensure that every child in Scotland has the chance to reach their full potential.
“With this record of delivery, it is no surprise that pupils are performing strongly across reading, writing and numeracy.
“But it is important that we keep working to improve education in Scotland. It’s time for the opposition to stop sniping and get behind our efforts to increase teacher numbers and cut the attainment gap.”
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