74 Ghanaian teachers moved to Scotland in 2006

Record numbers of teachers from across the globe are coming to work in Scottish schools, according to new figures.

Official statistics show 1284 teachers from around the world came to Scotland to teach in 2006 from as far afield as Australia and Peru. Teachers from England topped the list with 551 registering with the General Teaching Council for Scotland, a 10% increase on last year.

There were also 120 arrivals from Poland, 96 from Australia, 74 from Ghana and 50 from the US.

The Scottish Executive said part of the reasons for the large number of arrivals was the good terms and conditions enjoyed in Scotland.

Recent figures comparing the education systems of OECD countries revealed that staff in Scottish primaries and secondaries are some of the best paid in the developed world with salaries of up to £31,000 for an unpromoted post – the sixth highest behind Luxembourg, Switzerland, Korea, Germany and Japan. Salaries in England are tenth with a ceiling of £28,700.