Concerns raised over new Aberdeenshire teachers missing out on STEM bursaries

Warnings are being made of an Aberdeenshire science skills shortfall, after it emerged no local teaching candidates received £20,000 bursaries last year.

Responding to parliamentary questions from MSP Alexander Burnett, the Scottish Government confirmed there have been just 11 STEM bursary awards made to Aberdeenshire teachers – and none in 2022.

Education minister Jenny Gilruth said 371 Scottish awards had been made since the STEM teacher education bursary was launched in 2020.

Intended as an “incentive to ease the financial transition for career changers”, the bursary helps pay for a one-year initial teacher course aimed at the hardest-to-fill STEM subjects.

Mr Burnett said: “If there are no new trainees to replace retiring science and maths teachers, that’s going to have a severe negative impact on the youth of tomorrow.

“So it’s very concerning that not a single candidate received a lucrative bursary to enter the profession.

“An average of 120 or so a year, across Scotland, doesn’t cut it. So the SNP government need to do more to promote this bursary – and to promote the north-east as a great starting location for aspiring educators.

“Schools are already making hard decisions to optimise subject choice, with reduction often being the result.

“If this STEM subject trend is allowed to continue, Aberdeenshire won’t be well placed to meet societal needs in the future.”

Ahead of the last school year, Aberdeenshire councillors heard the local authority was only sent half the number of new secondary school teachers it had asked for, while other parts of Scotland enjoyed a “surplus” of entrants.

A shortage of suitable teachers saw the Gordon Schools in Huntly drop metal and woodwork classes in the 2023/2024 school year.

And one job at Alford Academy was reposted 11 times without being filled last year.

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