Published: Thursday, 17th December, 2009 12:34pm

'It's impossible to defend these figures'

by Alistair Neil

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Oldfather hits out at teacher numbers

AN IRVINE MSP has slammed the drop in teachers numbers across North Ayrshire.

The latest figures reveal North Ayrshire has the second highest pupil teacher ratio across Scotland after losing almost 100 teaching positions in the last 12 months.

Cunninghame South MSP Irene Oldfather says this drop WILL have a major impact on pupils and parents.

Statistics released by the Scottish Government show there are currently 1,380 teachers in publicly funded schools and pre-schools in North Ayrshire, a fall of 97 from the same period last year.

As a result the pupil teacher ratio in schools across the local authority area has now risen to 14.0, a figure only surpassed nationally by Renfrewshire,

Oldfather said: "It is impossible to defend these figures.

However North Ayrshire Council explained the figures do not take into account ALL teaching staff in schools.

For the full story see this week's paper.