Scottish Conservatives unveil plans to attract teachers to rural Moray
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LOCAL Scottish Conservative politicians say their party's plan to incentivise the recruitment of teachers in rural areas would benefit Moray schools.
Under the party’s plans unveiled this week, £30 million would be set aside for a Rural Teachers Fund to tackle staff shortages in Scotland.
The plan includes early career support for staff and a scheme to allow prospective teachers to study qualifications in their home communities.
The proposals are part of a wider Scottish Conservatives' plan that includes the recruitment of 3,000 more teachers nationwide.
Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross said: "We know there have been huge challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers in rural parts of the north-east and Highlands.
"Rural and remote areas have long suffered from acute teaching shortages, and the SNP has failed to address the problem.
"Our Rural Teachers Plan would include the offer of targeted incentives for staff to work in rural areas and extra support once they are in post."
Scottish Conservative MSP candidate for Moray and local council group leader Tim Eagle said: "According to the SNP government’s own figures, there were 51 fewer teachers in Moray in 2019 than there were in 2010.
"The SNP have had 13 years in power so has no-one else to blame for a failure to fill teaching posts.
"The Scottish Conservatives have a plan to address this problem, which affects communities across Moray and in other rural areas of the country.
"No-one should be disadvantaged because of where they live.
"Along with our proposals to improve school buildings, this Rural Teachers Plan will help to restore Scotland’s education system and level up opportunity for young people in Moray and across the country."
