The number of teachers in West Dunbartonshire is continuing to fall as concern have been raised of it's affect on poorer communities.
Scottish Government figures show that 901 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) teachers were employed in education settings in West Dunbartonshire – including Early Learning – in 2025.
The number has slumped from 994 in 2019.
Meantime, the pupil teacher ratio dropped to 13.3 in 2025, from 13.5 last year.
Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, fears a failure to deliver on more teachers in West Dunbartonshire schools could impact those within the poorest areas.
She said: “The SNP has failed to deliver on public services in Scotland.
“Long waiting lists for hospital treatment continue, police officer numbers have slumped, prisons are over-crowded and courts are overwhelmed.
“Rather than delivering on the promise of extra teachers, the numbers of educators in our schools has fallen. Teachers, like other public sector workers, are under increasing pressure and pupils are being let down.
“Our children are still missing out on the education they deserve and poorer communities like West Dunbartonshire are struggling to make up ground on attainment.”
The Scottish Government refute the accusation they are failing children and say they have achieved record low in attainment gaps for literacy and numeracy within poor areas.
A spokesperson said: "The Scottish Government is determined to drive forward educational improvements and the statistics published last week show clear progress across several measures.
"Attainment levels are at record highs and the poverty-related attainment gap is at a record low in literacy and numeracy, supported by investment of £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade. Attendance has improved and persistent absence has fallen nationally.
"Since 2014, teacher numbers have increased by more than 2,500. We provided £186.5 million to local authorities this year to protect teacher numbers, plus £28 million to support ASN staff. This year's census shows an overall increase in teacher numbers for the first time since 2022, reflecting effective collaboration between Scottish Government and local authorities.
"Scotland continues to have the lowest pupil-teacher ratio and best paid teachers in the UK."
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