THE universities of Stirling and Heriot-Watt have launched a new joint undergraduate degree programme to train a new cohort of chemistry and physics secondary school teachers.

Set up with additional funding from the Scottish Government to help tackle a shortage of STEM teachers in Scotland, the innovative programme will combine Stirling’s excellence in education with Heriot-Watt’s reputation for excellence in the sciences.

The first cohort have now started their studies and will lead the way for future generations of STEM-subject teachers.

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Last week, the Labour Party warned that Scotland has lost two science, technology, engineering or Maths every week since the SNP took office in 2007.

Research from Scottish Labour reveals that since 2007 more than 100 STEM teachers have been cut by the SNP every year since 2007 with 187 fewer computing teachers, 410 fewer mathematics teachers, 105 fewer chemistry teachers.

Dr Sandra Eady, director of the Initial Teacher Education programme at Stirling University, said: “Teachers qualified in the STEM subjects are vital to helping more children engage with science.

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"With a track record in delivery the very best in education training, we will ready our students with the theoretical and practical experience to teach chemistry or physics in secondary schools.

“We believe having the best teachers in place will ensure the pupils they go on to educate will one day attain highly-skilled jobs that are reactive and relevant to the needs of today’s economy."

Led by Stirling, students are matriculated at both universities and will benefit from the facilities, support and academic excellence of both institutions throughout their studies.

Gillian Thomson, director of learning and teaching at Heriot-Watt’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, said: “We are delighted to be part of such a forward-looking initiative to combat the shortage of STEM teachers in Scotland.

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"The ability to engage young people in STEM subjects through-out the education life-cycle is vitally important to the future prosperity of Scotland."