Gilruth said it was not a “flat picture” across regions and subjects. “We are desperate for maths teachers,” she said.
She said extra posts created in response to Covid may have allowed people to get jobs locally, but that teachers may now have to travel further afield.
“I wonder to what extent people are opting not to travel to jobs, in ways that they might have previously, because for example we created those posts during the pandemic,” she said.
“You’re not guaranteed a job on qualification – you have to go out there and look for one, you have to apply to a range of different local authorities.”
Gilruth accepted the current situation was “not good enough” and said the government and local authorities had to work together to fix it.
Cosla, the body which represents councils, said: “Currently councils are experiencing recruitment challenges for specific subjects (e.g. maths, physics and others) and in specific geographical areas.
“In areas where there are more teachers seeking employment than there are permanent teacher vacancies there may be only temporary roles (eg maternity cover) or supply work (eg cover for sickness absence) available, however, we offer permanent employment when permanent vacancies arise.”
