Computing studies in Scottish schools is being ‘pushed to the brink’ as new census data revealed the number of teachers for the subject is at a record low.
Official figures from the Scottish government’s annual survey of teachers has found that there were only 550 teachers nationwide last year, a fall of 28 from 2023.
It represents the largest single year drop in a decade, and comes despite campaigners’ efforts to raise the profile of the subject, backed by industry calls for greater investment into digital skills.
The data, published on the Scottish government website, reveals a loss of 216 professionals over the past 17 years in Scottish secondary level education, a decline of 28.2% in that period.
By comparison teacher numbers for all subjects have declined by 4% in that period, to illustrate the dire situation computing studies finds itself in.
Toni Scullion, a computing science teacher and co-lead of the Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science group, said: “It is alarming to witness yet another significant drop of 28 computing science teachers this year, leaving us at a record low of just 550. This decline is particularly stark when we consider that computing science has consistently had the lowest number of teachers among the traditional STEM subjects since teacher census records began in 2008.”
She added: “It is important to note that challenges to recruitment are not unique to Scotland. Recruitment of computing science teachers remains one of the biggest challenges for the subject’s growth across schools and for equity of access to all pupils. The tech talent pipeline begins in our classrooms, and a shortage of specialist teachers directly threatens our ability to nurture the digital skills necessary for a thriving modern economy.”
The drop occurs against the backdrop of a rising technology economy. The Scottish Government’s own skills agency highlighted an ‘economic urgency to address digital skills gaps and shortages’ in its Digital Skills strategy.
The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation also highlights digital technology as a new ‘market opportunity’ for the country.
It says: “A skilled population is fundamental to business productivity and economic prosperity. We will focus our activity on the transition to net zero, the digital revolution, and lifelong training making sure employers have the supply of skills they need.”
Former chief entrepreneur Mark Logan, who authored the landmark Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review report in 2020, painted a dismal picture of computing science teaching in Scottish schools last year.
He told MSPs at a Holyrood hearing that working with the likes of Education Scotland and related bodies was like dragging a ‘heavily sedated bull elephant backwards through cold treacle’ – lambasting a committee-led approach for a lack of decision-making and leadership.
He said that the one area of his STER report that had not seen progress, in terms of its 32 recommendations accepted by government, had been education.
In his review he had called for parity of esteem and greater provision of computing science in schools – in order to satisfy the huge and growing demand for software engineers in the tech sector. But he said that despite an encouraging reception from authorities like Education Scotland, that it became clear over time that they simply did not view the subject as ‘important’.
As well as those leaving the profession, Scullion pointed to wider problems with computing studies teacher recruitment. She cited figures that revealed the 2023 intake for initial teacher education in computing science was a mere 16, the lowest number entering the profession since records began.
Scottish Labour education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “It is absolutely staggering that computer science teacher numbers continue to decline while these skills are more important than ever.
“Digital skills shortages are harming Scottish businesses and holding back our economy, but the SNP is still running an analogue education system in a digital age.
“Scottish young people are being robbed of the chance to learn important computing skills and our entire country will be held back by the SNP’s failure to make the most of the massive opportunities there are in tech.”
She added: “A Scottish Labour government will put digital skills at the heart of our education and skills system, ensuring that young people are equipped for the jobs of the future and Scotland can be at the forefront of the digital revolution.”
Shadow education secretary Miles Briggs said today: “The SNP’s sustained cuts to council budgets have pushed computing studies to the brink, which is completely inexcusable in a world increasingly driven by technology.
“Computing science should be one of the core aspects of a modern education but the SNP failed to prioritise it and have instead shamefully underfunded our schools, leading to this concerning drop in computing teachers.
“The SNP must address this short-sighted failure and make sure our schools have the teachers they need so that we can equip our young people with the skills they need to succeed in the modern world.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP said: “Teachers of subjects like computer studies are integral to Scotland’s economic future. Without them, pupils miss out on the skills they need to be part of many new and thriving industries.
“Salaries outside teaching, including in industry, are much higher and without the stress of managing classes. We need to introduce more incentives to attract suitable people, including those who are later on in their careers and want to contribute to the next generation. It requires a concerted effort from government and councils to make this happen.”
Computing studies teacher numbers had hit a record low last year, when the figure was revealed to be 578. At the time, the Scottish Government said it was providing £20,000 for career-changers in subjects such as maths, physics and computing science. It also said its ‘strategic board for teacher education’ was “considering issues” around how to improve teacher recruitment.
Twelve months on, a government spokesperson told Futurescot that local authorities had responsibility for the matter.
The spokesperson said: “Local authorities are responsible for the recruitment and deployment of teaching staff. We are providing £186.5 million to local authorities this year as part of an agreement with COSLA to restore teacher numbers to 2023 levels and will continue to support them to maximise the number of jobs available in certain subjects, including Computing Science.
“The Scottish Government Teaching Bursary Scheme provides a £20,000 bursary to career changers wishing to undertake a one year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in the hardest to fill teaching subjects, including computing science.
“We are working with Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science (STACS) to consider wider initiatives to promote teaching as a valued career choice for computing students, and support a pilot programme with Aberdeen University to enable students with relevant HND qualifications, including in computing fields, to convert to teaching. We have asked Strategic Board for Teacher Education to develop advice on how to encourage more people into teaching, particularly in subjects that are challenging to fill.”
