SNP MSP Bob Doris today welcomed the commitment of the Government to deliver even more teachers for Scotland's schools as the latest teacher census showed a rise in the number of teachers across Scotland but a failure of the previous administration to meet their targets.

The Scottish Government has already invested £9 million in 300 extra teachers and will see 20,000 teachers through training in the next 3 years.

In particular Bob Doris welcomed the Government's commitment to increase the number of nursery teachers to ensure all children have access to a nursery teacher, something the Labour and Lib Dem Government failed to deliver.
 

Bob Doris said: "After Labour and the Lib Dem's failed to meet their targets for teachers the SNP has already seen numbers increase and is committed to pushing teacher numbers up even further.

"What is particularly encouraging is that the SNP government is already delivering more nursery teachers. "With funding for 300 more already in place and for another 250 to go through training this Government has made more progress in 9 months than was made in the previous eight years on supporting our youngest in education.

"Labour said they would have 53,000 teachers, they failed. "The SNP is determined to succeed and the Scottish Government has committed to training an extra 20,000 teachers to make sure Scotland's young people have the teachers they need."

Notes:

1. Fiona Hyslop announced in June funding for 300 further nursery teachers to enter the system during the next 12 month.
   
   
2. Another 250 nursery teachers are in training to begin work from August 2008.
   
   
3. Labour promised 53,000 teachers, they fell 122 short. The Scottish Government put in place funding for additional teachers over the summer to help meet Labour and the Lib Dem's shortfall.
   
   
4. 20,000 teachers will be trained by 2011.