Pupils at the Highlands’ biggest school have been left without a computing teacher since the summer – despite facing an exam in the New Year.
Scores of youngsters at Lochaber High School will face their computing prelim this January, but have not received any specialist teaching this academic year.
Classes have been monitored by supply teachers who are “effectively babysitting” pupils and have no expertise on the computing studies course, although Highland Council said it has now
“identified” a teacher with “experience” of the subject to help the students.
The revelation has drawn consternation from Lochaber MSP Kate Forbes, who suggested the lack of expert teaching could harm the children’s prospects of getting to university.
The SNP member said she “struggled to understand” why Highland Council had not arranged for the course to be taught remotely.
Ms Forbes said: “I and many parents remain very concerned that their children’s Higher or National Five qualifications are at risk because there is no computing studies teacher at Lochaber
High School.
“Whilst I sympathise that it has been difficult for Highland Council to recruit a new permanent member of staff, I would like to press the importance and urgency of finding a proper solution.
“These young people will be sitting prelim exams in January, and it looks highly likely that the group of Higher and National Five pupils will have gone from the summer to the winter term without any teaching from a specialist subject teacher.
“Many of course aspire to go onto university and need top grades as a result.”
Ms Forbes suggested that video technology could have been used to teach the lessons remotely.
She added: “I don’t think we should be content with a supply teacher, who does not specialise in this subject, to effectively babysit the Higher and National Five classes from the summer to the winter term.”
Bill Alexander, Highland Council’s director of care and learning, said the “challenge” of recruiting teachers is “unfortunately not new”.
He added: “The school has identified a teacher with experience of teaching computing studies, and priority is being given to pupils sitting the Higher and National 5 courses. In addition a member of staff from another school, as well as West Highland College, is providing support.
“The Northern Alliance authorities including Highland Council have raised the issue of teacher recruitment in the north with the Scottish Government, and we will continue to do so.”
