I WAS quite astonished at the story in the Times about the shortage of teachers at Beath and Lochgelly High Schools.

I can remember the story about there being a shortage of a maths teacher at Lochgelly but it would seem that it is something which goes a lot deeper.

And judging by what was said in the article it looks like it is something that is hitting the whole of Scotland.

Why the shortage of teachers I ask? Surely there is the same supply these days as in the past or is there now a reticence from students qualifying from University to go into what is a solid vocation?

The thing is that perhaps people are a bit concerned about the discipline aspects of going into teaching.

The vast majority of kids will want to be taught but it only takes a small number of unruly types to cause the sort of bother that wrecks a class.

Hopefully Beath and Lochgelly Highs will get the people they need for it looks like both are on the way up and being short of staff will hurt that progress.

And maybe the Scottish Government should be pulling out all the stops to get more people wanting to become teachers.

SCHOOL VIEW,

Cowdenbeath.