A NEW leadership qualification for aspiring headteachers will be fully funded from 2016 after concerns the £1,000 cost would put people off.
The Scottish Government is to provide £1.5 million over the next three years for the Into Headship programme - which will see prospective headteachers undertaking Masters-level qualifications.
Angela Constance, the Education Secretary, said the new funding would help up to 500 teachers through the course every year to help address current shortages.
The move comes after widespread criticism that the cost of the compulsory qualification had created an expensive hurdle which would put off potential applicants.
The Into Headship programme was announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last year with a pledge that it would be mandatory for all new headteachers by 2018/19.
However, the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS), which represents primary headteachers, warned there were fewer applicants for headteacher vacancies and local authorities often had to re-advertise posts.
The union said: "This shortage of headteacher applicants is unlikely to be improved upon by putting more hurdles in the way of application for headship."
Ms Constance said the new financial commitment showed the government's intention to improve school leadership.
She said: "I’m delighted to announce that we can support teachers who are willing and ready to meet the challenge of headship and I hope this package will help local authorities plan for the future."
Jim Thewliss, general secretary of School Leaders Scotland, which represents secondary headteachers added: "We welcome this move, especially at a time when attracting applicants for headteacher posts is becoming increasingly difficult.
"We fully support the programme, but believe it is critical that the best and most able candidates are attracted to the position of headteacher and that they not discouraged through having to finance their own career progression. Fully funding the programme removes a potentially damaging disincentive."
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