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Councils Blamed for School Strain Planning Failure Over Placements for Student Teachers

Posted on: Saturday, 15 October 2005, 09:00 CDT

By ANDREW DENHOLM EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT

SCHOOLS and local authorities have been blamed for the increase in the number of students taking up teacher training courses which is putting a strain on Scotland's education system.

A nine-month review by inspectors found that many students had difficulties getting work experience or probation places in schools.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) blamed schools and local authorities for insufficient planning and criticised the Scottish Executive for failing to collect adequate statistics.

Three weeks ago, The Herald revealed scores of students were in danger of missing out on an essential part of training because not enough schools had offered work placements.

Figures showed some 150 students had yet to find a school just days before placements were due to begin.

Although the executive is now confident all students have places, the lack of placements has meant some schools are having to take two students instead of one, often for one week each rather than two.

More students are coming through the system as a result of the executive's increased targets on teaching numbers, which are to rise from just under 50,000 to 53,000 by 2007.

HMIE found that in order to meet increased demand, every primary in Scotland must provide more than three placements a year, while each secondary school is required to find more than 12 placements.

Graham Donaldson, senior chief inspector of education for Scotland, said: "Increasing numbers of teachers is good news for schools across Scotland, but it doesn't come without its challenges. It is encouraging to see the commitment from many headteachers, but more needs to be done to ensure all students benefit from the kind of high quality placements which will establish a secure platform for their careers."

The review was carried out for Peter Peacock, the education minister, following similar problems last year.

Last night, the executive said no student would be disadvantaged, even if the start of their placements was delayed.

"We are currently training many more teachers to meet our commitment to have 53,000 by 2007 and our challenge is ensuring sufficient places are available to meet this unprecedented increase, " said a spokesman. "We are continuing to work with universities and councils to do that and we have also provided funding for authorities to appoint placement co-ordinators whose task is to liaise with universities and councils to find placements."

Ronnie Smith, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, said schools were under increasing pressure to deliver placements. "There is a worry universities develop good relationships with schools, who are then hit with increasing numbers of students, and the burden needs to be spread much more widely, " he said.

David Eaglesham, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, said a number of schools do not have the resources to cope.

He warned: "This is likely to get worse because more teachers will be coming through the system."

Source: Herald, The; Glasgow (UK)

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