John Swinney's fingerprints are all over the failures of the past 17 years – Scotsman comment

Pledge to increase teacher numbers by 3,500 looks set to go the same way as the 2030 climate target and a string of other broken commitments

During his debut appearance at First Minister’s Questions as the holder of that post, rather than a stand-in, John Swinney was repeatedly challenged over his pledge – made three years ago as Education Secretary – to increase teacher numbers by 3,500 by 2026. The reality is that, instead of rising, numbers have actually fallen slightly over the past two years.

Swinney said the promise had been given “in good faith” but that Scottish Government was “under enormous financial pressure” and he had to be “straight about the challenges we face”. So while he didn’t actually scrap the target, it doesn’t sound like Scotland’s classrooms will be getting significant reinforcements anytime soon.