Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop could find herself at the centre of a new political row on Friday, with official figures due for publication expected to show a fall in teacher numbers.
The Government is also expected to release figures demonstrating changes in pupil-teacher ratios across Scotland.
Last year, the statistics showed a reduction of 1,000 teachers since the SNP came to power in 2007.
If Friday's figures reveal a similar decrease, it is likely to cause the latest in a series of political clashes over the issue.
The latest statistics will be published a day after Labour leader Iain Gray used First Minister's Questions to hit out at the Government's record on education.
He blasted previous falls in teachers numbers and told MSPs: "When they sneak the latest figures out tomorrow, it is expected to be even worse".
Alex Salmond insisted class sizes were at a record low, but admitted his Government had been disappointed with some councils, who had failed to retain school staff rates.
The First Minister attacked Labour-controlled Glasgow Council, claiming it was responsible for a quarter of the fall in teacher numbers in Scotland over the last year.
However, Mr Gray also criticised the Education Secretary over a plan designed to tackle the problem, unveiled earlier this week.
Fiona Hyslop announced that councils were to be allowed to borrow £10 million to fund the retirement of 500 teachers, in a bid to get new teaching graduates into work.
The plan was blasted opposition MSPs for encouraging more debt, while many council leaders said they were being forced to axe experienced staff.
In Holyrood on Thursday, Mr Gray asked: "Is Alex Salmond the last man in Scotland who thinks Fiona Hyslop is up to the job?"
Mr Salmond told him: "Fiona Hyslop came up with a plan yesterday to give young teachers a chance of a job in Scotland."
Last updated: 27 November 2009, 08:20
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