130,000 working days lost to teachers’ stress

More support is needed for Scottish teachers, an MSP has said, as figures show more than 130,000 working days have been lost to stress in the last three years.

There are calls for more support for teachers. Picture: Cate Gillon

Schools in Perth and Kinross were hit most, with teachers missing 9,667 working days, followed by Fife with 9,580 and Glasgow, where 9,000 days were lost.

The figures have been brought to light through a Freedom of Information request by the Liberal Democrats and the party’s education spokesman is now calling on education ministers to work with schools and local authorities to review the support offered to teachers suffering from stress.

Challenging

Liam McArthur said that teachers are being asked “to do more and more with less and less”, and added that it is “hardly surprising” that the number of days lost to stress is so high.

“Scottish teachers work incredibly hard in what are often hugely challenging circumstances,” Mr McArthur said.

“It is essential that people who are struggling to cope receive the support they need.

“I know that many schools and local authorities offer staff a great deal of help but these figures show that there is more work that needs to be done.

“Leadership on this issue needs to come from the top. With the Government asking teachers to do more work, the Cabinet Secretary for Education needs to set out what action he will take to help ensure that this does not have a knock-on effect when it comes to teacher stress.

“I am calling on the ministers to work with schools and local authorities to review the help that is available for teachers at present and see what can be done to make their lives that little bit easier.”