MP raises concerns as hundreds of Moray school stuff 'stuck' on temporary contracts

THE number of Moray teachers and support staff on temporary contracts has been greeted with alarm by Moray MP Douglas Ross.

A series of Freedom of Information requests by the Scottish Conservatives has uncovered that 411 support staff in Moray are currently on temporary contracts, while a further 134 teachers do not have the security of a permanent job.

Mr Ross says he is “extremely worried” that so many staff based in Moray are “stuck” on temporary contracts.

The number of support staff in Moray on temporary contracts is the third highest recorded out of the 31 councils who responded to the requests, with only West Lothian and Fife recording a greater number of support staff on temporary contracts.

The MP said that the job insecurity being faced by hundreds of school staff in Moray will be putting an “intolerable strain” on them and is another failure of the SNP when it comes to supporting the education system in his constituency.

He added that the Scottish Conservatives New Deal for Teachers would give greater job security for teachers and support staff, which is “imperative” if people are to be attracted to make Moray their home and place of work.

Mr Ross continued: “Teachers and support staff across schools in Moray are already facing huge pressure.

"From violence increasing and the SNP-Green government failing to give them the resources they need, all of this is putting additional stress upon our hardworking school staff.

“The last thing they need is job insecurity of being stuck on temporary contracts.

“However, these figures show that is the reality for hundreds of support staff and teachers in Moray which I’m extremely worried to see.

“That will be putting an intolerable strain on these individuals especially against a backdrop of the global cost-of-living crisis.

“The Scottish Conservatives’ plans for a New Deal for Teachers aims to give them greater power and job security.

“That is imperative if we are to ensure people are encouraged to make Moray their choice to live and work, which in turn will further boost our local economy.”

A spokesperson for Moray Council said: "We endeavour to maximise the number of teaching staff on permanent contracts wherever possible, with 925 permanent teaching staff currently working within our schools.

"Our first preference is always to provide permanent contracts for our staff, however we use temporary contracts to provide maternity or absence cover, support secondments or where funding is temporary."