OVER 7000 pupils in Dumfries and Galloway have additional support needs (ASN), but more cuts to the number of additional support for learning (ASL) teachers could be on the horizon.
Figures from the Scottish Government’s pupil and teacher census show that that the number of pupils with additional support needs in Dumfries and Galloway increased by over 1,000 between 2019 from 6175 to 7182 in 2023. Meanwhile the number of ASL teachers in the region decreased from 98 to 79 during the same time period, resulting in a ratio of one ASN teacher to every 90 pupils.
Further reductions in ASL teacher numbers are predicted as Dumfries and Galloway Council are consulting about the issues as part of their budget process.
In Holyrood South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has demanded assurances from Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth that the cuts will be reversed, he said: “The figures show a 16 per cent rise in ASN pupils in Dumfries and Galloway since 2019, and that number continues to rise.
“The number of ASL teachers has been cut by 16 per cent over the same period and by a shocking 40 per cent since 2010.
“What assurances can the cabinet secretary give that those cuts in ASL teachers will be fully reversed by the Government’s budget and through the recruitment of additional teachers, at a time when the council is consulting on further cuts to ASL teachers?
“Behind those numbers, there are far too many young people who are simply not getting the support that they need.”
Speaking after the session, Colin Smyth continued: “The drop in ASL teachers in our region is really shocking and is having a huge impact on the learning and development of young people.
“It very important that this figure is reversed as a matter of priority, it is no exaggeration to say that the future of some of our children is at stake.”