A FLAGSHIP policy to protect teacher numbers in Scottish schools may be preventing councils from targeting money on pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, a report has suggested.

The controversial statement was made at a meeting of educational researchers and Scottish Government officials hosted by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Herald's View: The bottom line on teacher numbers

SNP ministers have prioritised the protection of teacher numbers despite concerns from councils that it does not necessarily lead to improved standards, particularly in areas where school rolls are falling.

Allowing local authorities to reduce teacher numbers is significant financially because staff costs represent the majority of a council's education budget.

Ministers have prioritised closing the attainment gap between rich and poor and will spend £100 million on schools in disadvantaged areas under the Scottish Attainment Fund.

However, the Royal Society report highlights the fact the overall education budget in 2012/13 was £4.8 billion.

The published summary of the meeting states: "It was recognised that while the Scottish Attainment Challenge funds could be used to pilot innovative developments, it is a very small and time-limited amount compared to the annual revenue expenditure on education by local authorities.

"It was emphasised, therefore, that making progress should not be predicated on the availability of resources from the Attainment Challenge Funds.

"Rather, it was suggested that long-term strategic implementation... will require consideration to be given to the re-prioritisation and re-deployment of existing education expenditure."

The report said that in this context current commitments such as the maintenance of teacher numbers "places limitations on the strategic options available".

A spokesman for the local authorities' umbrella body Cosla said: "Councils should be measured on how they are improving education rather than the current limited and rigid focus on how many teachers they employ."

He added that, with central funding for councils slashed by £350m this year, it would "inevitably have to have an impact on education."

However, Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland teaching union, said that while the union was open to constructive dialogue on how the policy was implemented protecting teacher numbers was "essential to ensuring consistent education provision".

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "We have invested a further £51m to maintain teachers number across Scotland for another year.

"Over and above the local government settlement we are providing £33m to raise attainment right across Scotland, including focused support for children from our most disadvantaged communities."