Question reference: S5W-29925
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 15 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 1 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many former, trained teachers responded to the call from the General Teaching Council for Scotland to assist with school learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and, of those, how many had (a) primary and (b) secondary school experience.
Answer
The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) contacted individuals whose GTCS registration has recently lapsed, including recently retired teachers to ensure records were up to date to facilitate any contact with employers to establish their willingness and availability to return to teaching, should this be required based on local need. There has been no formal call as yet.
We are currently working with local authorities to establish what additional staff are needed. Once we know that, we will work with local authorities to meet that demand.