Moray MSP, Richard Lochhead intends to challenge the Scottish Government about its record on tackling a teacher shortage in the region.
Next week, Mr Lochhead will quiz new Education Secretary John Swinney about what steps are being taken to recruit staff into classrooms.
Yesterday, Moray Council confirmed they still had about 30 vacancies for teachers.
In recent years, the local authority has teamed up with housing firm Springfield to offer free homes for staff, launched a video to promote the region and started a part-time education course online to help address on-going shortages.
This week, the situation at Elgin’s Seafield School was highlighted in a report which saw a member of staff struck off for two years.
Probationary teacher Jane Callister was left without a mentor at the school despite feeling she still needed support. During a disciplinary hearing by the General Teaching Council for Scotland, it emerged she became attached to one of her pupils.
Mr Lochhead intends to ask what action the Scottish Government is taking to encourage people to pursue a career in teaching.
He said: “For some time now, Moray has faced serious challenges in recruiting teachers to work in our local schools.
“This is an issue I have engaged with the council and the Scottish Government on in the past, and welcome steps have been taken, such as additional teacher training places being funded at Moray College and extra newly-qualified teachers being allocated to Moray.
“I’m keen to establish what further action the Education Minister is taking to help encourage people to take up teaching posts in our schools.”
Mr Lochhead will raise the Moray situation with Mr Swinney during education and skills questions in parliament on Wednesday.
He added: “I’m looking forward to having the chance to raise this key local issue directly with Mr Swinney in the Scottish Parliament.
“I very much hope he will provide a positive response with details of the steps which are being taken to improve the situation locally.”
