Moray's education challenge event
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Classroom behaviour and the issues surrounding recruiting and keeping teachers were highlighted in an education event hosted by Moray's Labour Party.
Local teachers were joined by Michael Marra, who's the Shadow Education Secretary, at the Fochabers Institute for Moray’s Education Challenge.
The event also focussed on broader concerns around Covid recovery, staff support, and working conditions.
The MSP said: "So often policies are made based on national averages and sweeping generalisations, which is why it was so valuable to visit Moray to hear about the issues facing teachers at the coal face.
"While attainment, teacher recruitment, and teacher retention are undoubtedly national problems, they are especially acute in Moray.
"The teachers I met in Fochabers were also hugely concerned about the growing behavioural problems in the classroom.
"It’s clear we need to tighten up the rules around how schools deal with classroom violence and ensure that teachers are properly supported."
Commenting on education post-Covid, Mr Marra added: "In 2021, the SNP promised us an ‘education recovery’ but two years later there’s no sign of it."
The event was chaired by Moray councillor Sandy Keith (Elgin North, Labour), who's the leader of the local party.
He said: "It was great to welcome Michael to Moray to hear first-hand about the difficulties we face here.
"Labour councillors in Moray have been doing what we can to ensure that education and teachers are adequately supported – like securing an additional £500,000 in the budget for an education investment fund, and re-instating the Employee Assistance Programme.
"However, the problems we face require national solutions, and that’s why it’s great to welcome a national figure to raise awareness of these issues."
Mr Marra has recently established the Scottish Labour Education Network, which is open to anyone with an interest in shaping education policy in Scotland.
Any Moray educators interested in joining the network can do so HERE
