 Asylum seekers are shadowing in Scottish classes |
The General Teaching Council (GTC) is to change its procedures to enable refugee teachers to work in Scotland. The body, which maintains professional standards in Scottish classrooms, said it would help refugees who had qualified in their own country.
There are an estimated 11,000 asylum seekers in Scotland, many of whom are thought to be teachers, medical staff, engineers and lawyers.
The GTC thinks qualified refugees could help address the teaching shortage.
It is prepared to assist teachers to gain the necessary skills to ensure they are of the same standard as those trained here.
Education system
Asylum seekers cannot work, but they can shadow a teacher in a classroom to maintain their skill levels and learn about Scottish education.
Matthew MacIver, from the GTC, said: "We need their experiences in the classroom, they come from very different experiences, a very different basis of knowledge and we can use that to enhance what is going on in the classrooms in Scotland."
The GTC said it would ensure refugees have an acceptable knowledge of English.
Once their experience had been assessed, they would be able to apply for registration. Lubov Alkhimov, from the Ukraine, is shadowing at a school in Glasgow.
"We have differences in the education system, so I need experience to work in school," she said.
The EIS teaching union welcomed the news.
General Secretary Ronnie Smith said that apart from plugging the skills gap, refugee teachers would bring unique experiences to the classroom.
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We have differences in the education system, so I need experience to work in school 
