How it will ensure that there are sufficient permanent posts available for new teachers at the end of their probationary year.

The Scottish Executive carriesout a national workforce planning exercise to ensure that sufficient new teachersare trained to meet demand in publicly funded schools. The form of contract underwhich teachers are employed is a matter for local authorities as employers. the Scottish Executive has a target of 53,000 teachers by 2007 and additional fundingof £18 million in 2006-07 and £44 million in 2007-08 has been provided for the employmentof additional teachers. Before local authorities receive funding for 2007-08 theywill be required to commit to a number of teachers which will in total achieve ourtarget.
We recently decided that a further£14.5 million of central resources would also be distributed through the NationalPriorities Action Fund for the employment of additional teachers this year. Theaim of the additional funding is to allow authorities to increase the number ofteachers they employ in 2006-07.