SOME of the problems affecting the morale of Scotland’s teachers are very familiar. Excessive bureaucracy, constant policy changes, a lack of outside support and declining pay are among the oft-cited concerns.
But the findings of a new survey of teachers raise fresh concerns, particularly with the suggestion that overwork may see 40 per cent of teachers quitting the profession in the next 18 months.
Additional problems cited by members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) to independent researchers include poor support from management, strained relationships at work, and a poor understanding of their role.
High levels of misbehaviour from students – and regularly from parents too – add to the sense of malaise. It is worrying, given that the Curriculum for Excellence was meant to give teachers more autonomy, that many say they lack control over the way they work, and complain of too much paperwork.
Overall, the working conditions of Scotland’s teachers are “extremely poor”, according to the survey.
The EIS’ own survey in June found major concerns over workload and blamed changes to the curriculum and assessment, combined with staff cuts.
The number considering leaving is surely overstated. But with education her stated priority, the First Ministers’s and her deputy cannot ignore these alarm signals.
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