Schools chiefs have pledged action to protect pupils and keep classrooms open as more than 150 teaching posts go unfilled across the north-east.
Aberdeenshire Council’s education director Maria Walker admitted shortages were putting a “strain” on staff but insisted every effort was being made to support schools.
The promise comes as chiefs in neighbouring Moray warn staffing levels there are reaching crisis point – and that pupils could be sent home because there is no one to teach them.
Ms Walker said the threat would not be allowed to spread to the north-east.
“Contingency plans are in place should a situation become acute and every effort is made to support schools,” she said.
“There are currently around 100 primary teaching posts and 57 secondary vacancies in the area.
“This inevitably puts a strain on teaching workforce and I pay tribute to the efforts they have made to ensure that young people are well supported in their education.”
The director of education added that the service was working hard to draft in new teachers and “ensure the best education for young people across Aberdeenshire”.
The Moray school network has about 70 vacant teaching posts – almost 7% of the staff roll.
The 157 vacancies across Aberdeenshire represent about 5% of the workforce.
Fears the situation could worsen were raised at an area committee meeting yesterday as Buchan councillors heard reports from two secondary head teachers.
Mintlaw Academy’s Alan Horberry and Peterhead Academy’s Shona Sellers – who took over last year after three years of temporary heads – presented a detailed breakdown of exam results.
Both head teachers said staff were working after hours and being trained in better practices in an effort to tackle stretched staff rolls.
Despite the challenges, they said exam results at both schools had improved over the past 12 months.
Councillor Jim Ingram said: “My only concern – which is true across the education system – is the ability to recruit and keep teachers.
“I know you are suffering. I know you’re sending staff to go out on secondment elsewhere. I just hope we never get to the Moray situation.”
Chairman Stuart Pratt added: “Peterhead has been through some fairly poor results while we’ve had acting head teachers. Hopefully with a permanent head teacher in we can see more stability.”
Last week the Press and Journal reported comments from the head teachers of Banff and Fraserburgh academies, who described the “daily struggle” to hold on to talented trainee teachers.
Responding to Andrew Ritchie and David Clark’s remarks, members of the Banff and Buchan area committee blamed the high cost of living and poor reputation of the north-east for discouraging talented probationary staff from staying beyond their mandatory training year.
The Education Institute of Scotland, the country’s largest teaching union, is working closely with Aberdeenshire Council to help offer young teachers jobs beyond their probationary year early in the academic cycle, to encourage them to stay.