Stress takes toll on 1,400 teachers

AT LEAST 1,400 teachers were absent due to stress last year.

A Freedom of Information request by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that in some areas one out of every 15 teachers took time off for stress last year.

A Health and Safety Executive survey published last year found that teaching was the most stressful occupation in the UK.

The National Union of Teachers asserts that half of all teachers have considered leaving the profession due to stress.

Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Margaret Smith said: "This year, teachers are implementing a brand new curriculum with a lamentable lack of support from the government. Given that previous studies cite a lack of support as a core reason for teacher stress, this year's figures can only get worse."

The figures show that West Lothian and Falkirk were the "most stressful" education authorities, with 118 and 104 teachers taking time off for mental wellbeing and behavioural issues respectively.

The "least stressful" authorities were North Lanarkshire and Perth and Kinross, which had just 22 teachers off with stress between them, accounting for about 0.5 per cent of their teacher rolls.

Education secretary Michael Russell said: "Stress occurs in all walks of life and it is for employers to have robust measures in place to prevent and tackle stress. There is simply no evidence to suggest that the implementation of the new curriculum is causing stress among teachers.

"In fact schools, local authorities and HMIE tell us teachers are embracing the changes with enthusiasm, helped by the support measures put in place by the Scottish Government."