New teachers have struggled to get full-time jobs

Figures obtained by a Sunday newspaper show councils are, at best, only able to offer a third of those finishing their probation year a permanent post.

In Scotland's largest local authority, Glasgow, 92 of the 286 newly qualified primary and secondary teachers have been assured permanent jobs.

The executive said it had inherited a difficult situation.

A spokesman said the figures, revealed in the Sunday Herald, showed there had been more shortfalls than planned as some councils had failed to employ as many full-time teachers as expected.

"We have moved quickly to resolve it," he said. "Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop has made clear that there is no point in training teachers to sit at home and we have acted swiftly to provide 300 additional posts this year."

David Eaglesham, from the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, said part of the problem was that posts were being filled with the next round of probationers.

"It's a matter of great regret that this is happening," he said. "There is a mismatch in the posts that are available."