Demand growing for teaching assistants in Edinburgh

Scotland's capital is experiencing an increasing demand for teaching assistants with the growing number of foreign pupils studying at its schools.

Edinburgh is struggling to deal with the huge increase in overseas children, with an insufficient number of language assistants to support them, reports the Scotsman.

According to figures released by the council, there has been over a 50 per cent growth in the number of pupils requiring English as an Additional Language (EAL) tuition.

Extra funding of £60,000 per year will now be provided by the local authority to deal with the growing need for language support.

Director of children and families Gillian Tee told the paper: "There is a significant pressure on the EAL service and its budget in the face of the scale of additional needs across all school sectors.

"These measures will benefit children from all language backgrounds on an equal and needs-led basis."

Earlier this month, Glasgow city council announced plans to increase provision for pupils who speak English as a second language, who comprise 12.5 per cent of the overall number of students in the city.