SCOTLAND'S First Minister has been accused of failing to address concerns over a rising dropout rate among newly qualified teachers and a lack of permanent posts.

Humza Yousaf was pressed on the issues by Greenock-born Conservative politician Jamie Greene at Holyrood on Thursday, after figures revealed that almost a fifth of probationary teachers left the profession in 2023 less than a year into the job.

The West Scotland MSP asked the FM how he plans to reverse the current trend and highlighted statistics showing there are now 1,000 fewer teachers in the country compared to when the SNP took power 17 years ago, despite promises to increase the intake.

Mr Greene said: "The dropout rate was 13 per cent before Covid and was nearer 19 per cent last year, which is an alarming rise.

"The Educational Institute of Scotland believes that, once teachers enter the workplace, they face the harsh realities that many in the profession have known for some time - increased workload, less support for teachers and pupils and a lack of permanent and secure jobs for many probationary teachers.

"On top of that is the rising violence and abuse towards teachers, which concerns all of us.

"Why does the First Minister think that so many probation teachers are dropping out of the profession so early in their career? More importantly, what is his government doing about it?"

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Mr Yousaf declined to set out how he would address the issue, instead directing the cabinet secretary for education, Jenny Gilruth, to write to Mr Greene at a later date.

The local MSP said: “It is disappointing that the First Minister was unable to say how the government are going to address this worrying trend.

“Referring to his education minister for the details on this vital issue shows the First Minister has lost his handle on the state of our classrooms and the experiences of teachers on the ground.

“An increasing number of new teachers are dropping out before they’ve seen out their first year in the classroom. That is a startling reflection of what is going on in our schools and classrooms.

“Fewer teachers mean bigger classes, narrower subject choices, and a poorer education for our pupils.

“The First Minister owes it to Scotland’s teachers and pupils not to let that happen.”