Seven in 10 teachers in Scotland feel stressed in their job frequently or all of the time, according to new research by a teaching union.
The EIS teaching union’s survey also finds that half of all teachers describe their level of wellbeing at work as “very poor” (13 per cent) or “poor” (37 per cent).
Some 16,056 teachers responded to the health and wellbeing survey, which finds that inadequate staffing levels, staff shortages, lack of cover and unfilled vacancies are the most mentioned source of stress.
“Business as usual” approaches by management or local authority employers in dealing with the Covid pandemic is also cited frequently, as is anxiety about protection from infection at work.
The survey, which was carried out in November, finds that most teachers attempting to manage stress have done so on their own (73 per cent), with only 12 per cent seeking help through their school or local authority employer (3 per cent).
Some 70 per cent of teachers say they feel stressed in their job either frequently (48 per cent) or all of the time (22 per cent). Most teachers (59 per cent) say they would not recommend teaching as a career to other people.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS teaching union, said the survey results make for “very worrying reading”.
He said: “Teachers have a demanding job which, coupled with the additional strains of teaching during the pandemic, is placing severe stress on our members right across Scotland.
“The fact that seven out of 10 teachers feel stressed either frequently or all of the time at work is a huge cause for concern.
“International research has shown that teacher wellbeing is a prerequisite for pupil wellbeing and effective teaching and learning.”
Mr Flanagan added: “It is also very telling that almost 60 per cent of teachers would not currently recommend teaching as a career.
“The Scottish government and [local authorities body] COSLA have clearly stated that we need more teachers in our classrooms to support education recovery - but this will be extremely difficult to achieve in the current climate, where teachers are overworked, under-supported and being offered a real-terms pay cut.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We take the health and wellbeing of our teachers very seriously. In the last year, we have invested over £2 million specifically in supporting teacher wellbeing with a package of support, developed in conjunction with the [Covid-19] Education Recovery Group.
“We are also committed to reducing teacher workload through reducing class contact time by 90 minutes per week to give teachers more time to plan and ease their workload.
“Figures published this week show that teacher numbers have increased for the sixth year in a row, rising to 54,285 in 2021.
“There are now over 2,000 more teachers than before the start of the pandemic in 2019, and more teachers than at any time since 2008. The ratio of pupils to teachers is at its lowest since 2009.”
