Thousands of teachers, including many who have retired, will be asked to come back to school, amid concerns that the smaller class sizes needed to physically distance pupils and “blended learning” could put huge pressure on existing staff.
General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) figures show that there are 76,643 registered teachers in Scotland, with 61,349 employed in schools, meaning there are over 15,000 teachers who are registered but not working in the classroom.
The GTCS is making contact with this group of teachers in the hope that many could return to work in schools.
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GTCS chief executive Ken Muir said the difference between the number registered and the number in school included people who were employed in other settings; who worked abroad; and who were retired.
He told The Herald newspaper: “We are pleased to be part of this collaborative approach to supporting the teaching profession and helping children and young people return to schools when it is safe to do so.
“As part of this work, we are currently finalising with Scottish government and other partners how arrangements will be managed.”
He added: “In the meantime, and to maintain public confidence, we suggest that teachers who are registered with GTC Scotland, who hold a current PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) [membership] and who are interested in returning to teaching, contact the local authority they wish to support. As employers, local authorities can provide further advice at this time.”
In new guidance for schools issued last week, the Scottish government acknowledged that increasing teacher numbers would be “critical” if Scottish schools are to deliver home and in-school learning.
In 2017 - owing to teacher shortages - the GTCS explored why 752 teachers aged 21-45 had lapsed from the register the year before.
The GTCS found that the most common reasons for failing to renew registration, cited by teachers, were a change in personal or family circumstances; securing a job abroad; an inability to get a job in Scotland; changing career; taking a career break; and workload.
