:00:09. > :00:13.Question number one from Peter Chapman. Thank you, Presiding
:00:14. > :00:17.Officer. Can I ask the Scottish Government what it's doing to ensure
:00:18. > :00:22.remote schools are not at a disadvantage compared to schools in
:00:23. > :00:25.urban areas. Presiding Officer, the Scottish Government's committed to
:00:26. > :00:28.ensuring access to high quality education in rural and remote
:00:29. > :00:32.communities and is taking steps to make sure that happens. In line with
:00:33. > :00:36.the recommendations of the economies and rural education, in 2014, the
:00:37. > :00:41.Scottish Government made amendments to the schools consootation Scotland
:00:42. > :00:43.Act 2010 to provide additional protection for rural schools
:00:44. > :00:48.including the establishment of a presumption against the closure of
:00:49. > :00:51.rural schools, an additional consultation in the respect of the
:00:52. > :00:54.likely impact on the community and the likely effect caused by
:00:55. > :00:57.different travelling arrangements. The member will be aware local
:00:58. > :01:01.authority funding distribution formula includes a number of
:01:02. > :01:04.adjustments to ensure that remote and rural schools are not
:01:05. > :01:14.disadvantaged compared to those in urban areas. Not north-east of
:01:15. > :01:18.Scotland, there is a higher teacher vacancy rate and problems with
:01:19. > :01:24.shortages. Maria Walker, Director of Education and children's services
:01:25. > :01:30.for Aberdeenshire council described the current situation as "cruel".
:01:31. > :01:36.She also said teacher recruitment is a constant worry. Northern Alliance
:01:37. > :01:40.councils want varied routes into the profession and have had to ask
:01:41. > :01:47.parents to help find qualified staff. What action will the Scottish
:01:48. > :01:50.Government take to try to achieviate the problems experienced in
:01:51. > :02:03.Aberdeenshire bearing in mind one in ten teacher training places go
:02:04. > :02:07.unfilled. I've discussed this with Maria Walker. We have invited the
:02:08. > :02:12.colleges of education to come forward with a range of different
:02:13. > :02:16.groups which will improve the speed at which individuals can enter the
:02:17. > :02:20.teaching profession, subject of course to the assurance of the
:02:21. > :02:23.general teaching council that the requisite levels of quality are
:02:24. > :02:26.achieved by the individuals who're pursuing the routes.
:02:27. > :02:29.In addition to