A survey of 16,500 teachers in Scotland has shown the “stark” impact of rising workload, scarce funding and the cost-of-living crisis.
The survey, by the EIS teaching union, finds that barely any teachers manage to do their job inside contracted hours and that many struggle to pay their rent or mortgage - yet most still pay out of their own pocket to help feed and clothe pupils and ensure children do not go without important school equipment.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said the research showed teachers “underwriting the education system in Scotland, giving up their own time and money from their own pockets to support young people in our schools”.
The EIS survey of 16,475 teachers, which had a 32 per cent response rate and can be read in full here, was published today along with the first in a series of themed briefing papers, this time focusing on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on teachers and education.
Key survey findings include:
- Only 2 per cent of members who responded always complete their work within contracted hours, while 38 per cent never complete everything within contracted hours.
- Some 98 per cent of teachers surveyed work above their contracted hours each week, and 41 per cent work more than eight extra hours - more than one extra full day of work unpaid each week.
- Only 15 per cent are satisfied (14 per cent) or very satisfied (1 per cent) with their workload levels.
- Around two-thirds of teachers surveyed were struggling (13 per cent) or starting to struggle (50 per cent) to pay their rent or mortgage.
- Most said they were struggling (16 per cent) or starting to struggle (65 per cent) to pay for their weekly food shop.
- Almost half of all teachers who responded said they had poor (34 per cent) or very poor (10 per cent) wellbeing in their job overall.
- Some 69 per cent used their own money to buy food, clothing, school equipment or to pay on behalf of pupils in some other way, although 51 per cent of respondents said they have been spending less on classroom resources because they could no longer afford to pay for as much.
- Most respondents felt stressed frequently (53 per cent) or all the time (20 per cent).
- In supporting pupils with additional support needs (ASN), only 3 per cent “frequently” have enough time to complete paperwork, liaise with colleagues and external agencies and attend meetings.
- Less than a fifth of members said they would be likely (15 per cent) or very likely (3 per cent) to recommend teaching as a profession.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: “This major survey of Scotland’s teachers provides a stark warning of the current situation in Scottish education. Teachers are facing significant stress from both their soaring levels of workload and also from the cost-of-living crisis, which has impacted teachers personally - especially as they awaited a much-needed pay rise - as well as our schools and the young people in our classrooms.
“The scarcity of support for pupils with additional support needs is compounding the stress on school staff, in addition to damaging the educational experiences of the young people concerned, including with regards to behaviour.”
Ms Bradley added: “With the number of children living in poverty continuing to rise, it is once again falling on schools, with dwindling resources to plug the gaps in many young people’s lives.
“However, it is simply not sustainable for teachers to continue to subsidise the Scottish education system. Whether it is physically subsidising the resources for the classroom or supplies for individual pupils, or indeed by working so many additional unpaid hours that the system does not support itself without them, it is simply unsustainable.”
Comments from teachers who responded to the EIS survey include:
- “We regularly have the heating off or turned down to 10 degrees to try to counteract the energy prices. I’m concerned this will lead to damp in our home and cause health issues for my wife and sons.”
- “I feel it is important to note that I am married and my husband has quite a well-paid job, which is why I am able to say I can continue to spend normally. If this was not the case then I would definitely not be able to afford even the basics for my family.”
- “I can’t afford to replace my work shoes that are falling apart. I also can’t afford to buy a warm appropriate jacket for work.”
- “As a teacher I had hoped for a higher quality of life, to feel more financially comfortable. This is not the case - have not been able to afford a holiday abroad once during my 15-year career.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “This EIS survey is certainly concerning given the context of our teachers accepting the biggest pay package for their members in over 20 years - with the majority seeing their salaries rise by £5,200. Classroom teachers on the main-grade scale in Scotland are the best-paid in the UK.
“It is therefore imperative that the government works with our local authority partners - who employ our teachers - to better support them in the workplace. Since October 2020, the Scottish government has invested over £2 million in supporting the wellbeing of the education workforce. But there is more we will require to do, working in partnership with the local authorities.”
The government spokesperson added: “Undoubtedly schools are continuing to respond to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, and the stress we see reported by teachers is undoubtedly replicated in other parts of our public sector, where people are working on the front line.
“Our education reform agenda provides the platform for a radical shake-up of how we deliver education in Scotland. The education secretary [Jenny Gilruth] is clear that this must mean better support for staff to allow them to deliver the quality learning and teaching that our young people deserve. She will continue to engage with the teaching unions on this important work.”
