Primary teacher training targets could be cut by a fifth to deal with oversupply

Targets for training new primary school teachers could be cut by up to 20% in Scotland to deal with an oversupply.

Officials are considering a number of options to deal with the issue, with many new teachers struggling to find permanent roles in schools.

Minutes from the Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group, first reported by The Scotsman, show universities are keen to see a reduction in the overall primary intake targets.

The group, which brings together officials from the Scottish Government, councils and higher education, acknowledged “the current challenges we see in terms of the availability of jobs for primary teachers”.

Options will be discussed at the next meeting, with officials saying: “The reduction could potentially happen over a two-year period (2025/26 and 2026/27) to allow universities time to adjust.

“The level of reduction probably needs to be around 10% to 20% on current targets over these two years.”

Willie Rennie said new teachers are being left on the ‘scrap heap’ PA Media

However the group also noted that an increase in teacher numbers is needed to improve class contact times.

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman Willie Rennie MSP said: “The level of unemployment, short-term contracts and underemployment among teachers, especially primary teachers, has been far too high. New teachers have been left on the scrap heap.

“This is because the Government have failed to secure 3,500 extra teachers as they promised at the last election.

“The decision to cut the intake at ITEs (initial teacher education) is a sign of the Government’s failure to deliver that recruitment.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said the Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group considers a “range of options” and no decision has been taken on the August 2025 intake.