THE number of secondary school teachers in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire has fallen in the last decade, new figures reveal.

There has been a dramatic drop of 18 per cent in Renfrewshire since 2007, with East Renfrewshire recording a decline of almost four per cent.

Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liz Smith is worried about the effect the decline will have on students.

She said: “It is obvious teachers are the most important resource in any school and so it is clear this substantial decline in numbers will have a negative effect on the level of education that children receive.

“Despite the SNP claiming the teacher shortage is diminishing because of extra recruits taken in recent months, these statistics show the number is still dramatically lower than in 2008.”

By contrast, the number of teachers in primary schools across both Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire has risen over the past 15 years.

The figure for East Renfrewshire primary schools is up by 16 per cent compared with 2004, while the total in Renfrewshire has increased by two per cent.

There were 578 primary school teachers in East Renfrewshire last year, with 784 in Renfrewshire.

Councillor Jim Paterson, Renfrewshire’s education convener, said: “Our secondary schools operate on a 33-period week which has meant timetabling of subjects is more efficient and minimising requirements on staff time.

“Over the past 18 months, there have been 15 primary headteacher and two secondary headteacher permanent posts appointed in Renfrewshire. All vacancies are advertised when they come up and suitable candidates are appointed.”

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “The population of children entering primary education has expanded, and this is reflected in increased teaching numbers.

“Over the last 10 years the average number of secondary school teachers employed has remained fairly constant.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “There are more secondary teachers than at any time since 2014 and the ratio of pupils to teachers is at its lowest since 2010.

“The Scottish Government has taken action to help recruit and retain teachers.”