MSP's concerns for falling teachers roll

Baillie slams SNP government for'failing a generation'

- STAFF REPORTER

Dumbarton’s MSP has blasted the SNP Government of “failing a generation" after data revealed falling teacher numbers in West Dunbartonshire's schools.

The politician claimed the SNP had failed to deliver on a series of education pledges to benefit the nation's young people.

Former SNP leader and ex-First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, pledged in 2015 that her party would close the attainment gap - the academic achievement difference between Scotland's richest and poorest pupils - entirely by 2026.

The party also pledged to employ an additional 3,500 teachers and classroom assistants in schools in the run up to the 2021 Holyrood election.

But almost four years on, and after the Covid pandemic took a further toll on education, MSP Jackie Baillie said teacher numbers have fallen.

The Scottish Government's figures show that 901 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) teachers were employed in education settings in West Dunbartonshire - including Early Learning - in 2025.

The number has slumped from 994 in 2019.

Meantime, the pupil teacher ratio dropped to 13.3 in 2025, from 13.5 last year.

West Dunbartonshire had one of the largest increases in pupil teacher ratios overall since 2019.